Thoreau, Melville, And Davis: An Odd Grouping

Thoreau Melville And Davis Might Seem To Be An Odd Grouping At First

Thoreau, Melville, and Davis might seem to be an odd grouping at first, but consider the criticism these writers offer of urban “modern” life in Walden, “Bartleby the Scrivener,” and Life in the Iron Mills. What are the concerns that these writers share about urbanization and what it does to individuals? Discuss in your response how either “Bartleby the Scrivener” or Life in the Iron Mills demonstrates similar concerns as Thoreau’s reasons for heading to Walden Pond. APA format, 1 page essay, with references and title page.

Paper For Above instruction

Henry David Thoreau, Herman Melville, and Rebecca Harding Davis are authors whose works critique the impacts of urbanization and modern life on individuals. Although their writings span different contexts and genres, they collectively express concern over the dehumanizing effects of urbanization, emphasizing a longing for simplicity, authenticity, and moral integrity. Thoreau’s decision to retreat to Walden Pond embodies his critique of materialism and disconnection from nature, advocating for a life rooted in self-reliance and harmony with the natural world, contrasting sharply with the conformity and alienation prevalent in urban settings (Thoreau, 1854/2012). Similarly, Davis’s depiction of industrial workers in “Life in the Iron Mills” portrays the exploitation and degradation faced by the working class, emphasizing how industrialization leads to the loss of individual dignity and moral agency (Davis, 1861). Herman Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener” exemplifies the alienation and emptiness of modern office life, where the protagonist’s passive resistance reflects a deeper despair and detachment from society’s values (Melville, 1853). All three authors critique urban society’s tendency to erode personal integrity, leading to spiritual and emotional disconnection. Thus, Davis’s portrayal of industrial workers parallels Thoreau’s call for a more deliberate and authentic life, illustrating how urbanization alienates individuals from meaningful existence and moral purpose. These works collectively serve as a caution against the dehumanizing forces of modern urbanization and advocate for a return to simpler, more authentic ways of living that foster genuine human connection and integrity.

References

• Davis, R. H. (1861). Life in the Iron Mills. Retrieved from https://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/lifemills.html
• Melville, H. (1853). Bartleby the Scrivener. Retrieved from https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/m/melville/herman/bartleby/
• Thoreau, H. D. (2012). Walden and Other Writings (T. Carper & J. L. Schneider, Eds.). Hackett Publishing. (Original work published 1854)