Walden by Henry David Thoreau (Text 193-204)
Groups 1, 2, and 3: “Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (196-197)
Groups 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8: “Conclusion” (203-204)
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Read selection through once, and then read it again. In fact, you will probably need to read it several times and
refer back to it even more in order to fully comprehend its message.
Analyze the passage carefully and thoroughly before you try to interpret it. You may need to dissect the
passage sentence by sentence because Thoreau’s writing is dense with meaning. He uses metaphor, simile,
allusion, parable, analogy, rhetorical questioning, imagery, and many other devices to explain, exemplify, and
expand his philosophical ideas. Even his literal descriptions and detailed explanations (of nature, railroads,
sailboats, bugs, ants, etc.) are more than they appear to be. Almost everything he writes is meant to be read on
more than one level. Look beyond the surface (read between the lines) to discover the veiled truths Thoreau
reveals about mankind, society and life in general.
After you have thoroughly examined the passage and determined its significance, select a quotation (1-3
sentences) that you feel best expresses the main points Thoreau is trying to convey.
Lastly, create a visual representation of the passage. It can be a realistic drawing or a symbolic rendition. And
no, it does not have to be “perfect.” It just needs to illustrate your understanding of the passage and be
insightful and thought-provoking. Art allows you to express ideas that can’t be put into words and opens the
mind to see what words cannot show.
The Presentation:
1. A poster with your visual and your quote (cite author and page). Be sure your writing is large enough for the
class to read. Hang this poster up on the whiteboard behind you.
2. Each member of the group must participate and speak during the presentation. I repeat, everyone is expected
to speak. Divide the ideas up so that no one person does all the explaining; however, keep in mind that you
are all responsible for knowing the content of the entire passage and all aspects of the presentation (literary
devices, interpretation, message, relation to Transcendentalism, and connection to society). Every member of
the group needs to field questions from the class and be able to answer those questions accurately. Do not
depend on a single member to handle this aspect of the presentation. Take turns calling on the students who
raise their hands and be sure that each of you answers at least one of the questions posed by the class.
3. You need to teach the class your passage from Walden. In order to do this effectively, you will need to know
the passage inside and out and be knowledgeable and well informed about all aspects of the lesson
requirements, not just your part of the presentation. There are five lesson requirements: 1 – The main idea
of the passage, 2 - What he meant on a figurative level (the underlying message), 3 - The devices he used (such
as metaphor, simile, parable, allusion, analogy, rhetorical questioning, imagery, etc), 4 - How his message
relates to the philosophies of Transcendentalism, such as self-reliance, non-conformity, individualism, etc.
(Text 147; IR 70-72), and 5 - How his message might connect to us today (Does it still apply?). Give concrete
examples that will help the class “grasp” what it is that you are trying to communicate to them.
Begin your presentation by 1) directing the class to the place in the text where the passage can be found. Next,
2) state the main idea of the passage and then 3) read the passage out loud to the class. Once you’ve introduced
the passage and engaged the class, you need to 4) address the five lesson requirements. (Remember to share,
explain, and elaborate on the quote you selected and the visual you created. Number 4 can be done in any
order you wish – ideally, an order that makes sense and best suits your particular passage. Lastly, you must all
take turns 5) addressing the questions, concerns, and comments of the class.
4. You use note cards, but you cannot just stand there and read from them. You need to make eye contact with all
three sides of the room. Scan the class with your eyes; look at your classmates, not at the walls behind them.
And don’t just look at me. In fact, try to avoid looking at me – pretend I am not even there.
5. Speak up. Speak clearly. Don’t mumble. Slow down. Don’t talk to fast. Pause for a brief moment at the end of
each sentence. Give your audience time to process what you are saying. Use hand gestures – take your hands
out of your pockets and use them to emphasize what you are saying. Don’t upstage each other. Don’t hide
behind each other. And do not chew gum.
The Paper:
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1.
2.
One typed, MLA formatted paper per group. Include the name of each member in the upper left corner.
Third person, present tense
Four to five paragraphs (1-3 pages) – Same as your presentation (convenient, huh!)
Introduction is done for you, except for the thesis; you need to add that.
Introduce the main idea of the passage. Basically, explain what it is about. Does it tell why he went to the
woods? Does it express the importance of simplifying life? Does it claim that society is too focused on
external progress rather than internal development? Etc. (1-3 sentences added to the introduction already
written for you.)
3. - 4.An interpretation of the passage on the figurative level. The underlying message -what he really meant.
Be sure to mention the devices he used. (You may need to divide this into 2 paragraphs.)
5. Conclusion: relate his message to the philosophies of Transcendentalism, such as self-reliance, nonconformity, individualism, etc. (Text 147; IR 70-72), and make a connection to society today.
NOTE: You will probably want to include the quote you selected as well. Be sure document it properly
and cite it. It should be smoothly integrated into the paper – it will most likely fit best in the 2nd paragraph
where you are interpreting the passage, but it might also work in the 3rd paragraph if you can use it to link
Thoreau’s ideas to Transcendentalism. I really don’t see it working well in the 1st paragraph.
Walden Presentation Rubric
Individual and Group
Expectations
1 – Needs
Improvement
(Below Basic)
2 – Okay
(Basic)
3 – Good
(Proficient)
4 – Excellent
(Advanced)
Individual
Speaks Clearly and Loudly
Individual
Makes Eye Contact
Individual
Knowledgeable and Well
Informed
Group
Covers all 5 Lesson
Requirements
Group
Prepared and Well Organized
Point Total and Overall Grade: ______________X 2 = _________________/40