Walden Conclusion Response

Conclusion Response

Peter Joelson

12/12/08

After reading your book (or rather excerpts from it), it seems that while you give mixed messages, one of your biggest ideals, which you highlight in “Conclusion” is that a man should “direct your eye sight inward, and you’ll find a thousand regions in your mind yet undiscovered.” You believe that discovering oneself is all one needs, and that traveling abroad is thus pointless when you have yourself to travel, “What was the meaning of that South-Sea Exploring Expedition, with all its parade and expense, but an indirect recognition of the fact, that there are continents and seas in the moral world…” I have continued to admire your mind Mr. Thoreau, but I do not envy your mind. While some scholars might think otherwise, I find you to be a very close-minded person. This inner exploring is a concept most will not be able to grasp. The idea is at their fingertips, they understand what they can do, but they cannot hold onto your idea into their hand. Most people do not have the mental ability to achieve your suggestions. Exploring oneself will require a kind of meditation and few people possess the inner strength to achieve it. People explore the world to drink in new surroundings and new ideas. This exploration is odd to you, but just because it is odd, does not mean it is wrong. You must be willing to accept ideas that are different or contrast to your beliefs, just as you hope your readers will be able to accept your ideas. The road to your head is a two lane road, and you do not possess the power to create a road block, no matter how much arrogance you possess.