The Influence of Thoreau's View of Nature On Current Ecology

开篇：润墨网以专业的文秘视角，为您筛选了一篇The Influence of Thoreau's View of Nature On Current Ecology范文，如需获取更多写作素材，在线客服老师一对一协助。欢迎您的阅读与分享！

Abstract: The American author Henry David Thoreau, preceded by his instructor, Emerson, inherited the idea of transcendentalism and was the proponent of the integrity of human and nature. By the two-year experience of staying alone nearby Walden, Thoreau gained a deep insight into nature, which, in his view, should by no means be replaced by human force and be equally respected. His natural view exerted a profound influence, especially in current concern on ecology, especially when technology and ecology confront with conflict.

Key words: Henry David thoreau view of nature industrialization influence on current ecological concern

Brief Introduction on Thoreau and Background

Henry David Thoreau, an American author, poet, philosopher, naturalist, historian, and leading transcendentalist, was a philosopher of nature and its relation to the human condition influenced by Emerson. For one thing,the US then met with the fast-paced development of industrialization, which brought about contamination and deterioration to nature. This was totally against Thoreau's belief. For the other, he was born with the preference to individuality, which can be proved by his refusal to pay the five-dollar fee for a Harvard diploma and his later comment," Let every sheep keep its own skin" Therefore, his inclination to nature and his distinctive personal traits led him to embark on a two-year experiment in simple living in a small, self-built house on land around the shores of Walden Pond on July 4, 1845. There, Thoreau developed a deep insight into nature as well as its relation with humans through observing, listening, feeling and meditating.

Thoreau's View of Nature

In the times of Industrialization, people were haunted with and overwhelmed by material and wealth, which, from Thoreau's point of view, was indicative of a spiritual shackle that tormented people from happiness. The only way to get out of it was to lead a simple but mentally rich life, by equalizing everything alive with human being, ranging from fights among ants, twitters of birds, to the "cough" of the crack of Walden ice. The intentional exposure to these replenishes us with vigor and fulfillment. “Nothing in the world is inorganic. The earth is a lively poet, like a leave, preceding flowers and fruits. It's not a fossil but an earth, compared to which, all animals and plants are just residues"（1） The remark rightly reflected Thoreau's strong opposition of depriving the living right of any species on the earth, each of which should be conferred with equal respect and value.

Besides his appellation, Thoreau as well exerted much of his affection into the wondrous nature created by God. In fact, following Emerson, Thoreau was the proponent of the idea, that humans are unable to sense the essence of the real nature only through their sensory organs, but they can do through extra-sensory perception. With about two years of the personal exposure to nature near Walden, a sort of human-like blood ties with animals and plants there, had been gradually formed. Even once, he felt guilty just due to his hit nut trees for nuts, and said," It's us that are to blame, as the trees, who nurtured us with food and provided us with shade, suffer a lot from the torment from us!"

The Influence on Current ecology

From above we are expected to sense the impressive features of the Romanticism-influenced nature view of Thoreau. Meanwhile, his nature view indeed has been long lasting and the guidance of ecological protection for current times, especially when ecology collides harshly with technology.

Thoreau, as a matter of fact, used to be "a biologist with techniques" though had never been trained. However, he studied science only for the purpose of a close access to his "beloved nature" and once remarked,"The reason why I learn about my surroundings, is to be closer to them" This, actually, serves as an instruction for us to maintain our sympathy towards nature even we are armed with technological competence. In other word, we humans should make concessions or even show awe for nature. For example, more considerations should be taken before forests are cut into lumber.

The influence by Thoreau is ubiquitous globally instead of only in the US. Referring to Chinese literature, Zi Hai, one of the most Thoreau-influenced poets, frequently used the earth and the pertinent items as images in his poetry. The once clean and natural farm lands in his childhood were then intruded and stampeded by industrial wave, which was a painful blow to Zi. In fact, numerous Chinese ancient poets had chosen to retreat from the governed society, so as to search for the so-called self-freedom. However, this was totally against the favor of Zi, who otherwise appreciated Thoreau's idea of focusing on life itself.（2）

Conclusion

Thoreau's advocacy of human's intimacy to and respect for nature is not solely a slogan-like appellation for the post generations, but more of a distinct view that is beyond what humans are able to perceive. Meanwhile, his view has indeed influence much the ecology, both in terms of human behavior and psychology. Thus, we should in return reflect more on the relationship between human and ecology and strike a balance.

References：

[1]张丽军.梭罗―生态文学的开创者[A]. 2007.

[2]唐纳德.沃斯特.《自然的经济体系》侯文蒽译.北京.商务印二15馆.1999年.第84页.