Journal 01, 1837-1846 The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume 07 (of 20)

"Journal 01, 1837-1846" by Henry David Thoreau is a compilation of the author's private jottings, offering a glimpse into his musings and perceptions in the early 1800s. It shines a light on Thoreau's thinking on philosophy, his keen observations of the natural world, and his consideration of being alone versus being social. Representing the initial comprehensive unveiling of Thoreau's journal, this volume documents his day-to-day life and understandings as he lives as a scholar, author, and student of nature. Early on, Thoreau writes about his reflections on being isolated, showing a yearning to get away from the here and now and to carefully consider his life. He thinks over growth and rot, using the image of trees and shedding leaves to show how the end of something can lead to a fresh start. He puts forth a loving view of nature, pointing out the attractiveness of sunrise and the role of nature in his work. By way of his vibrant telling of events and philosophical questions, Thoreau asks people to think about how they relate to nature and to bigger questions about what it means to be alive.