Individualism and Self-Reliance

Where it surfaces

• Biographical Sketch

  Thoreau's refusal to follow conventional professions, his solitary life, and his insistence on living according to his own beliefs exemplify this theme.

• Essays

  Thoreau advocates for personal conscience over societal norms.

• The Service

  The essay reflects Thoreau's early commitment to individual conscience and self-directed moral action.

• I: Qualities of the Recruit

  The brave man is self-contained, relying on his own virtue and inner divinity rather than external creeds or devices.

• III: Not How Many, but Where the Enemy Are

  Thoreau emphasizes personal effort and the soul's inner strength, rejecting dependence on external rewards or societal peace.

• Aulus Persius Flaccus

  The wise man lives extemporaneously, secure in his own virtue, and does not rely on external creeds or the approval of others.

• A Walk to Wachusett

  Thoreau's solitary return journey and his reflections on standing alone like Wachusett highlight the value of individual experience and self-reliance.

• A Winter Walk

  Thoreau celebrates the solitary woodchopper and the traveler who cherishes an inner fire, advocating for a personal, direct relationship with nature.

• Thomas Carlyle and His Works

  Thoreau notes Carlyle's insistence on individual duty and self-reliance, quoting maxims such as 'Do the duty which lies nearest thee' and emphasizing Carlyle's focus on personal action and integrity over systemic philosophy.

• On the Duty of Civil Disobedience

  Thoreau emphasizes the individual's moral duty to act according to their own conscience, not the majority's will.

• Sir Walter Raleigh

  Raleigh's independent spirit, his refusal to be confined by convention, and his unique character are highlighted, though his dependence on court favor is also critiqued.

• Life Without Principle

  Thoreau emphasizes the importance of personal experience and thought over societal expectations and business pursuits.

• The Succession of Forest Trees

  Thoreau asserts his own observations and reasoning against common misconceptions, demonstrating intellectual independence.

• The Red Maple

  The single red maple that ripens early and stands out from the crowd symbolizes individual distinction and self-contained virtue.

• The Wild Apple

  The wild apple tree is portrayed as independent and self-sufficient, emulating human enterprise and thriving without care.