Abstract   Walden primarily embodies Thoreavian life philosophy and corresponds to Chinese ancient human affinity with nature and the universe。 The thesis, based on Thoreau’s view on nature, examines Thoreavian life philosophy in the contemporary society from three aspects: first, it explores the literary significance of his life philosophy from the rise of environmental protection and eco-criticism。 Then it analyzes the cultural connotation of Thoreavian life philosophy which is made up of two core parts, namely, life of simplicity and persity。 In the end, it discusses the spiritual implication of Thoreau’s life philosophy by explaining the positive influence of an “Inwardness” life to comfort and cultivate inpidual spirit。91535

Keywords: Henry David Thoreau; life philosophy; contemporary significance; eco-criticism

摘要《瓦尔登湖》集中体现了梭罗的生活哲学，并与中国哲学的“天人合一”暗相契合，引起诸多学者的关注。本文立足于梭罗的自然观，从三个层次分析梭罗生活哲学的当代意义：首先，基于当代环境保护的思想源流以及生态批评的兴起背景，探索其生活哲学之于文学的意义；进而，以其生活简单化的观点为基础，剖析梭罗生活哲学的文化内涵，亦即简朴生活和多元生活所蕴含的生活意义；最后，通过论述“内在生活”对个体（精神）的抚慰和成长作用，探讨梭罗生活哲学的精神意义。91535

毕业论文关键词：梭罗；生活哲学；当代意义；生态批评

Contents

1。 Introduction 1

2。 Literature Review 2

3。 The Literary Significance of Thoreavian Life Philosophy 5

3。1 The rising of environmental protection 5

3。2 Walden’s inspiration to eco-criticism 6

4。 The Cultural Connotation of Thoreavian Life Philosophy 7

4。1 Life of simplicity 7

4。2 Life of persity 8

5。 The Spiritual Implication of Thoreavian Life Philosophy 9

5。1 An “Inwardness” life of self-reliance 10

5。2 An “Inwardness” life of self-independence。 10

6。 Conclusion 11

Works Cited 13

1。 Introduction 

     Walden, a representative work of Thoreau, begins with a strong criticism of people’s craze for the pursuit of commercialism which is believed to be a hindrance to people’s spiritual excellence, implying that a change in people’s life pursuit must be made。 After criticizing the outwardness lifestyle of luxurious and proposing the author’s view on simple life, it then continues with an introduction to his joyful and harmonious life in nature, the magnificent course of which shows the intrinsic value of nature and Thoreau’s personal traits as an ecologically virtuous person。 The book ends with claims for practicing environmental ethics such as vegetarianism and environmental preservation and a call for inward excellence。

     The philosophy of simple life was much promoted during the financial crisis in 1920s。  The crisis was trickling down to the whole America, threatening the nation’s economic foundation and hence has a subversive change on people’s consumption view。 Thoreau’s quiet lifestyle of returning to original simplicity while not seeking fame and wealth was appreciated during that time。 Meanwhile, his farsighted judgment of criticizing the pertinacious illness of the modern industrial society was receiving increasingly more approval。来自优I尔Y论S文C网WWw.YoueRw.com 加QQ7520~18766