Walden is essentially a science experiment. Thoreau developed the hypothesis that man can live simply with content, without the complexities associated with accumulation of material possessions and consumerism of goods. In the chapter "Experiment," he chronicles his experience in his experiment to be self reliant and live simply by constructing a home on shores of Walden Pond in Concord.
Ironically, in his attempt to simplify, he needs to borrow his axe, the instrument that becomes the catalyst of his experiment. The axe belongs to a neighbor, and although he ultimately returns it, he states, “The owner of the axe, as he released his hold on it, said that it was the apple of his eye; but I returned it sharper than I received it." And, although he returned sharper than when he borrowed it, the fact remains that Thoreau needed to borrow it to begin his experiment of "self reliance." Thus, Thoreau was dependent on others at the onset of his Experiment to survive simply and on his own. For me, this shows the reliance Thoreau had on others to fulfill his dream of being self sufficient. And, if one really needs to depend on others for his experiment is self-reliance, is he really self reliant? I do not really know how to answer this question, and maybe you do not either. It just seems curious to me that he would not consider this an "expense" in his borrowing as he speaks so precisely of the small monetary costs of the supplies to construct his dwelling. “--- In all................................$ 28.12 1/2... These are all the materials, excepting the timber, stones, and sand, which I claimed by squatter's right. I have also a small woodshed adjoining, made chiefly of the stuff which was left after building the house…I intend to build me a house which will surpass any on the main street in Concord in grandeur and luxury, as it pleases me as much and will cost me no more than my present." We're there not other costs, such as the reliance on neighbors, or taking over the land on which he built his home, that he overlooked? While it is amazing he can construct a structure so cheaply, and it is admirable that the he enjoys his dwelling as well as the luxurious homes on Main Street, it also seems that there may have been additional expenditures of time, neighborly help, land, that he may have overlooked in his expense account. And, while he takes most of the credit himself for depending solely upon himself, were there not others who aided him in his attempt to be a man who was self reliant and lived simply with nature?
Ironically, in his attempt to simplify, he needs to borrow his axe, the instrument that becomes the catalyst of his experiment. The axe belongs to a neighbor, and although he ultimately returns it, he states, “The owner of the axe, as he released his hold on it, said that it was the apple of his eye; but I returned it sharper than I received it." And, although he returned sharper than when he borrowed it, the fact remains that Thoreau needed to borrow it to begin his experiment of "self reliance." Thus, Thoreau was dependent on others at the onset of his Experiment to survive simply and on his own. For me, this shows the reliance Thoreau had on others to fulfill his dream of being self sufficient. And, if one really needs to depend on others for his experiment is self-reliance, is he really self reliant? I do not really know how to answer this question, and maybe you do not either. It just seems curious to me that he would not consider this an "expense" in his borrowing as he speaks so precisely of the small monetary costs of the supplies to construct his dwelling. “--- In all................................$ 28.12 1/2... These are all the materials, excepting the timber, stones, and sand, which I claimed by squatter's right. I have also a small woodshed adjoining, made chiefly of the stuff which was left after building the house…I intend to build me a house which will surpass any on the main street in Concord in grandeur and luxury, as it pleases me as much and will cost me no more than my present." We're there not other costs, such as the reliance on neighbors, or taking over the land on which he built his home, that he overlooked? While it is amazing he can construct a structure so cheaply, and it is admirable that the he enjoys his dwelling as well as the luxurious homes on Main Street, it also seems that there may have been additional expenditures of time, neighborly help, land, that he may have overlooked in his expense account. And, while he takes most of the credit himself for depending solely upon himself, were there not others who aided him in his attempt to be a man who was self reliant and lived simply with nature?
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