Journal #11

Write a summary of the following selections and identify a direct quote that you feel best expresses its main idea.

“Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (232)
He writes about to many unnecessary possessions. Humans are advancing but should not be moving forward so quickly. Things should stay simple. Technology corrupts us and takes away from our true selves. It distracts us and disconnects us from other people. Like a cell phone or computer, you get wrapped up in the technology and taken away from what is really important in life. We think technology is improving our lives but really it’s a burden. People consume more than what they need.

Quote: “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.”


“Sounds” (234)
This passage is about the unique way of nature and how everyday is full of different sounds and images. The narrator is stating that as he watches each day pass from morning to night, he realizes that he is not wasting his time because he is admiring the way nature can change in just moments. He is living in the present as he experiences the sounds of nature. He notices that life is beautiful and it is important that you should not miss it.

Quote: “I had this advantage, at least, in my mode of life, over those who were obliged to look abroad for amusement, to society and the theatre, that my life itself was become my amusement and ceased to be a novel.”


“Brute Neighbors” (235)
This passage satirizes war and he is saying that people fight over petty things. The ants represent soldiers and are fighting over wood chips while armies fight over land, money, or power. You can see people in all aspects of nature like you can see the aspects of nature in people. As he is watching it he realizes its almost like the same as watching people. There is not much difference between this tiny creature and man. There is a distinction that there will always be rivaling groups. Brutality or and pettiness are causes of war and it will always be there.

Quote: “and the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those who it concerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill.”





“The Pond in Winter” (237)
Nature is which creatures live and flourish. A pond in water is beautiful because of its ability to be different but under the ice it is still the same. Nature looks at rest or at peace but life is thriving beneath the surface. Nature is always beautiful. Even though everything looks shut down and hibernating you just need to know where to look to find the life that is still there.

Quote: “Heaven is under our feet, as well as over our head.”


“Spring” (238)
This passage describes spring and compares it to the creation of the world. So many things blossom out of something that seems like nothing. Everything looks dead but then blossoms into life. Spring is when everything flourishes again and the wonderful thing in nature jump out at you and come back. Spring represents rebirth while winter is death.

Quote: “the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.”