ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Simplicity is more than a mode of life for Thoreau; it is a philosophical ideal as well. In his “Economy” chapter, Thoreau asserts that a feeling of dissatisfaction with one’s possessions can be resolved in two ways: one may acquire more, or reduce one’s desires.

Detailed explanation-2: -Thoreau wrote that one way he pursued simplicity was by wearing simple clothes. He thought simple clothing-like simple shelter and simple food-was good for him because it conduced to a life of less “anxiety and strain”.

Detailed explanation-3: -Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count by half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail… Simplify, Simplify.

Detailed explanation-4: -The main idea of “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau is to find the meaning of life. He set out to contemplate life and himself and to find out man’s role in the world.

Detailed explanation-5: -In his book Walden, he described how he would go off by himself for weeks at a time in order to clear his mind and focus on the lessons life has to teach us. He observed we should maintain simplicity in our lives so that we can be more in tune with nature and ourselves.