5.03.2007
Thoreau's Journal: 03-May-1857
Up and down the town, men and boys that are under subjection are polishing their shoes and brushing their go-to-meeting clothes. I, a descendant of Northmen who worshipped Thor, spend my time worshipping neither Thor nor Christ; a descendant of Northmen who sacrificed men and horses, sacrifice neither men nor horses. I care not for Thor nor for the Jews. I sympathize not to-day with those who go to church in newest clothes and sit quietly in straight-backed pews. I sympathize rather with the boy who has none to look after him, who borrows a boat and a paddle and in common clothes sets out to explore these temporary vernal lakes. I meet such a boy paddling along under a sunny bank, with bare feet and his pants rolled up to his knees, ready to leap into the water at a moment’s warning. Better for him to read “Robinson Crusoe” than Baxter’s “Saints’ Rest.”
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5 comments:
Hecks yea.
I am surprised at the comment regarding Robinson Crusoe, which has a clear Christian theme, thus deflating Thoreau's point. Oh well...who said Transcendentalists were presuppositionally consistent?
As if Christianity and Transcendentalism are incompatible?
Only a most orthodox view of Christianity would suppose such a thing! In fact, I think Jesus might well be counted among the greatest of transcendentalists.
Yes, orthodox Christianity and Transendentalism are antithetical.
You can really see the difference and the evolution of his thoughts when reading past entries.
In more recent entries, he speaks of the devine and makes the reader believe that their is a higher power, while in this post he blatantly writes he doesn't "spend time worshiping neither Thor nor Christ".
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