How did Thoreau earn a living while at Walden?
Henry David Thoreau, the renowned American philosopher, naturalist, and writer, spent two years, two months, and two days at Walden Pond, a small lake in Concord, Massachusetts. During this time, he lived in a cabin he built himself and sought to live a life of simplicity and self-reliance. But how did Thoreau earn a living while immersed in this experiment in solitude and self-sufficiency?
Thoreau’s primary source of income during his time at Walden was through his writing. He was already a published writer before moving to Walden, having contributed to various magazines and newspapers. While at Walden, Thoreau continued to write essays and articles, which he sold to magazines and journals. His most famous work, “Walden,” was published in 1854, but he had already begun writing it during his stay at the pond.
Thoreau also supplemented his income by working as a teacher. He taught at a school in Concord for a short period before moving to Walden. Although teaching was not his preferred occupation, it provided him with the financial means to live independently and pursue his writing and philosophical pursuits.
Another way Thoreau earned a living was through his gardening. He cultivated a small garden at Walden, growing vegetables and herbs to sustain himself. This practice of self-sufficiency was a cornerstone of his philosophy and allowed him to live off the land to some extent.
Thoreau also made and sold homemade pencils. He learned the art of pencil making from a local craftsman and began producing pencils from the wood he harvested from the forest around Walden. This venture provided him with additional income and allowed him to engage in the physical labor that complemented his intellectual pursuits.
Thoreau’s approach to earning a living while at Walden was unconventional and deeply rooted in his philosophy of self-reliance and simplicity. He sought to live a life that was independent of the materialistic society of his time and to find fulfillment in the natural world and his own thoughts. While his methods may seem extreme to some, Thoreau’s experiment at Walden has inspired countless individuals to seek a more meaningful and sustainable way of life.
