American Earth selected pages and study questions

¶ … trek the newly paved cement path that weaves throughout the vicinity, I can't help but gaze in wonderment. There was once a time where this vast land was an open field, I imagine perhaps a field of daisies and sun flowers. As I lay in the soft grass, I notice that it is not soft, it is full of life which makes it seem like a green cushion. The mortality of the grass was something that I have not noticed before, I always knew that grass was a living object, but I never understood that it is actually alive.

Rolling around in the grass with my dog, I stumbled into some coarse, prickly, lifelessly hay-like grass. This was when I began to realize that the lively grass would bounce back every time I rolled off of it. This illustrated to me that like the grass, as humans, when something brings us down or pushes us down, we learn from the experience and we are able to bounce back up. From the simplicity of greenery, it showed me the absolute beauty and appreciation of being alive. I notice some trees nearby and I notice the rigorous swaying of the green leaves on the branch, which is so full of life and so mesmerizing.

As I lay on my back staring in the trees, one tree lined up after the other, a golden-brown leaf floats onto my chest. I grabbed the leaf by the stem, then I clench the leaf in my hands, and it crumbles. This life-less maple leaf floating without direction, free from its bind to the branch gave me a sigh of relief. From these observations, it shows that life can be wonderful, and sometimes it can be binding and tedious to the creative mind.

Question 2

I certainly can relate to Thoreau's philosophy. The natural and simple attitude that he presented provides a breath of fresh air in today's very busy and stressful society. Much like Thoreau, I appreciate the individualistic and slightly rebellious attitudes he has pronounced. We both share an affinity for nature and a return to self-reliance and personal interpretations of the universe. I definitely would have liked him and would have sought out his friendship because of our shared beliefs and principles.

Question 3

Life is fluid and ever changing. Nothing remains stable. Nature must change and humans, despite varying opinions on the matter, are very much natural. People are the fruit of the earth and fruit must be consumed and transformed into other matter or energy. Reincarnation is what it is all about. Matter will change into other forms but may not be destroyed or created. Nature is balance and perfection, regardless of the illusions that our senses often provide.

Question 4

Thoreau radiates several key values in his writings. Three of the most prominent values are: self-reliance, balance and patience. Self-reliance, in Thoreau's view, demands that people take responsibility for their own actions and provide custom made solutions for their very individualistic problems. Balance is also valued very much by Thoreau as he encourages others to take time to fulfill man's needs of spiritual and natural rejuvenation as a means to accomplish this task. Patience is also very important to Thoreau as his withdrawal from society proclaimed his attention towards evolution and enfoldment requiring great amounts of patience.

Question 5

Issue: Self deception is at the heart of failure. Acceptance of who we are and what we are is more important than pretending to be someone else.

Conclusion: " Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is fabulous" (p.25).

Question 6