'Transcendentalism In Henry David Thoreau's Friendship'
During the 1800s, Henry David Thoreau who wrote about many different topics, from love to politics to religious views to nature. He is famously known for being one of the most famous Transcendentalists, during his era. The Transcendentalist Era was a time when writers “asserted the existence of an ideal spiritual reality and scientific reality” (“Transcendentalist.” The Free Dictionary) into their work. In his works, especially in the poem “Friendship,” Thoreau uses imagery, metaphors and rhyme scheme to portray his idea of love.
Thoreau’s inspiration for writing the poem “Friendship” was his brother, John Thoreau Jr. His brother was also his best friend, describing this would be “I fain would ask my friend how it can be, But when the time arrives, Then Love is more lovely Than anything to me” (11-14). He is discussing the bond that he and his brother shared. That love was so strong, even up until John Jr’s death from lockjaw. Lockjaw is a bacterial disease that affects the body’s nervous system causing muscle spasms and trouble swallowing and in the worst case, can cause death from suffocation ("Tetanus (Lockjaw)”). Eventually, John Jr. passed away from lockjaw on January 11, 1842. John Jr. was Thoreau’s best friend (“Shmoop : Friendship …show more content…
Some may say the poem is about two brothers’ bond, others may say the poem is about two people who are in love. Interpreting the poem from the point of view of a brother who lost his best friend, there are many examples of how Thoreau describes the feeling. During this poem, there are positive feelings throughout the entire piece. Thoreau describes their relationship as “My greatest happiness” (line 7). “And close connecting link Tween heaven and earth” is utilized to describe how Thoreau views love for another person (line 4-5). These lines could be viewed as a metaphor for what the feeling of loving someone can give to a
Thoreau’s inspiration for writing the poem “Friendship” was his brother, John Thoreau Jr. His brother was also his best friend, describing this would be “I fain would ask my friend how it can be, But when the time arrives, Then Love is more lovely Than anything to me” (11-14). He is discussing the bond that he and his brother shared. That love was so strong, even up until John Jr’s death from lockjaw. Lockjaw is a bacterial disease that affects the body’s nervous system causing muscle spasms and trouble swallowing and in the worst case, can cause death from suffocation ("Tetanus (Lockjaw)”). Eventually, John Jr. passed away from lockjaw on January 11, 1842. John Jr. was Thoreau’s best friend (“Shmoop : Friendship …show more content…
Some may say the poem is about two brothers’ bond, others may say the poem is about two people who are in love. Interpreting the poem from the point of view of a brother who lost his best friend, there are many examples of how Thoreau describes the feeling. During this poem, there are positive feelings throughout the entire piece. Thoreau describes their relationship as “My greatest happiness” (line 7). “And close connecting link Tween heaven and earth” is utilized to describe how Thoreau views love for another person (line 4-5). These lines could be viewed as a metaphor for what the feeling of loving someone can give to a