Thoreau's Seasons

Book excerpt: Turning to Thoreau's later years, Richard Lebeaux presents a rich portrait of the writer from the beginning of the Walden experiment in 1845 to his death in 1862. Lebeaux skillfully connects the daily events of Thoreau's life to his inner life and writings. Lebeaux argues that one of Thoreau's fundamental concerns from 1845 on was a search for an understanding of human development, of the "human seasons." Quoting from Thoreau's "Journal" and other writings, he demonstrates that the famous passages on the richness of nature may also be read as Thoreau's coming to terms with his own seasons, with his mortality, and the death or illness of members of his family. Finally, Lebeaux stressed the clarity and strength with which Thoreau prepared for his own death. -- From publisher's description.