Literary Devices Used In Walden

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A main theme presented in Walden is the theme of isolation. It is made clear from the very beginning that Thoreau would be completely alone in the woods. In “Solitude”, he describes his awareness of and complete immersion in nature, and basks in the tranquility that solitude brings. He writes, “This whole earth which we inhabit is but a point in space… Why should I feel lonely?... What sort of space is that which separates a man from his fellows and makes him solitary? I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to one another” (555). Here, Thoreau is saying that there doesn’t have to be a definite amount of space between two people before one of them feels lonely. In fact, one can say that Thoreau is implying…show more content…
One literary device used is an allegory, which is a “story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning”. Thoreau uses Walden Pond in the wintertime as an allegory to reflect life. For instance, Thoreau writes, “...kneeling to drink, I look down into the quiet parlor of the fishes… there a perennial waveless serenity reigns as in the amber twilight sky, corresponding to the cool and even temperament of the inhabitants. Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads” (555-556). Although the pond doesn’t technically possess life, Thoreau sees the clear pond as having a serenity that is otherwise unparalleled. This serenity also affects the pond’s inhabitants, the fish, who are described as having a “cool and even temperament”. Thoreau draws a comparison between the pond and the sky, which are both infinitely and eternally serene. Furthermore, his reference to heaven ties the outworldly with the earthly. Thus, the pond serves as something that connects different aspects of nature together: the sky, the spirit, the earth, and the creatures. This can also be seen as Thoreau attempting to make sense of his place in the world; in other words, he’s trying to see himself as one with all aspects of the

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