Abstract: Henry David Thoreauis, the 19th century American transcendentalist writer, is also an outstanding and influential philosopher, naturalist, the pioneer of modern environmentalism, and environmental scientist. The main body of the thesis is divided into four chapters. In the first part, it introduces Thoreau and his works. In the second part, it mainly discusses the origins of Thoreau’s ecological view from three angles. In the third part, it makes an analysis of the Ecological implications in Walden. In his opinion, all natural creation has life; therefore mankind should respect nature and live in harmony with it. In the fourth part, the paper aims to discuss the main content of Thoreau’s ecology, and attempts to interpret his romantic, transcendental and overall harmonious ecological views respectively. We can understand the author’s forward- looking humanistic spirit and ecological philosophy in the works.

Key words: Thoreau; Walden; ecological views; nature

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction..1

1.1 Introduction to Thoreau and His works

1.2 Introduction to Walden

2. The Origins of Thoreau’s Ecological View in Walden2

  2.1 Life experiences

  2.2 Social conditions

  2.3 Sources of the theory

3. The Ecological Implications in Walden.6

3.1 The Gift of Nature

  3.2 The Harmony between Man and Nature

  3.3 Simplicity of Lifestyle 

4. The Main Features of Thoreau’s Ecological View8

  4.1 Romantic Ccology

  4.2 Transcendental Ecology

  4.3 Overall Harmonious Ecology

5. Conclusion.9

Bibliography

Acknowledgments