Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Background of Walden 2
2.1 Social background and values of Thoreau's age 2
2.2 Thoreau's life experience 3
3. Sources of Thoreau's thoughts 4
3.1 Ralph Waldo Emerson’s influence 4
3.2 Oriental philosophy 5
3.3 American Indian culture 6
4. The connotation of Thoreau’s view on nature 7
4.1 To value each living being 8
4.2 To return to harmony with nature 9
4.3 Life of simplicity and spirit of diversity 10
5. The influence of Thoreau’s view 12
5.1 The pioneer of ecological literature 12
5.2 Inspiration for spirit and environmental crisis 13
6．Conclusion 15
Acknowledgements 16
References 17
AB ABSTRACT
Henry David Thoreau is the 19th century American writer of transcendentalism and the pioneer of modern environmentalism. In his representative work Walden, Thoreau records his profound reflections on nature during his two-year communion with nature at Walden. The thesis focuses on the analysis of Thoreau's complicated view of nature, trying to find out its implications for modern people who are suffering from environmental and spiritual crises. In the end of the paper, a conclusion can be drawn that the relationship between nature and man is harmonious; nature is both our living people home and spiritual home. Thoreau has set a good example for modern outwardly simple and inwardly rich life.
Keywords：Natural view; Transcendentalism; Oriental philosophy; American Indian culture
