2。 Thoreau’s Views on Interpersonal Relationships

In Walden, Thoreau neither rejected civilization nor fully embraced wilderness。 Instead he sought a middle ground, the pastoral realm that integrates both nature and culture。 He did not completely abandon the society or socializing life, even he himself stated clearly that he was not a hermit。 During his life in the woods, he was sometimes involved in commodity and service trades, and had interactions with his visitors。 Although he lived separately from the society, he still attached his heart to the welfare of his contemporaries。 In his work, he took a deep thought over the harmonious interpersonal relationship。 More importantly, he contemplated some of the existing social relationships, either criticizing them or appreciating them。