e I lived and What I Lived for," "Higher Laws,"and "Conclusion." This belief led to Thoreau being considered a nature writer and not aphilosopher or literary figure, stated by Harding (Hicks 44-45). There are, however, thosethat believe Thoreau is not a typical nature writer. He is not cute, sentimental, technical,or dull. He does not give lower classes of animals human characteristics, but does notdegrade them either. He uses wit and humor to point fun at, not only animals, but humansas well. Walden deals with humans living simple lives, not only to accept them, but toenjoy them as well. In the first chapter, Thoreau tells us that we should adopt our ownmode of living and do things our own way rather than that of our parents. He makes usrealize the complexity of civilized life and to choose our own personal desires rather thanthose imposed on us by society. He tells us that we should worry more about doing whatis right for us and not what is right for our neighbors. For if we live for others we willdiscover that when it comes time to die we will have lived for nothing. At the end of hisown life Thoreau says, "I suppose that I have not many months to live; but, of course, Iknow nothing about it. I may add that I am enjoying existence as much as ever, and regretnothing" (47). Harding tells us it is apparent that Walden is devoted to answering how wefind the essence of life and this is seen in "Where I Lived and What I Lived For": Our lifeis frittered away by detail. ...simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! ...Let us spend one day asdeliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito'swing that falls on the rails (Hicks 48).Walden is also seen as a satirical criticism of modern life and living. The sarcastic side ofThoreau is sometimes misunderstood and he is taken too seriously. Thoreau expressesmuch humor in this book and should not be taken quite so seriously. Hick tells us,Thoreau expresses his wit and...
