Was Henry David Thoeau a true transcendentalist Essay

Was Henry David Thoeau a true transcendentalist - Essay Example Through many of his works, more specifically Walden, Thoreau divulged into the concept of living without the dependency of material goods and completely giving up ideas of religion and spirituality, as these two things only existed to impede on the happiness of human beings. By living a life of simplicity, a life that was without such an attachment to materialism, and by understanding that spirituality is within a person and not without them, then a person could discover true human happiness. Unfortunately, in a world that depends so much on the quality and quantity of what they have externally, paying very little attention to what is available internally, true human happiness was often easier discussed than it was obtained. The factor that truly make Thoreau a transcendentalist is that he actually did what he had to in an effort to obtain true happiness. Instead of simply preaching to others that all it takes is for someone to live a simple life without all of the material possessio ns and to live without a need for religion and spirituality, Thoreau actually set out to live a life just like that. In his book, Walden, Thoreau details his life after he built a small cabin on the shore of Walden Pond, Massachusetts (Thoreau).