Thoreau Still Beckons, If I Can Take My Laptop Report

In "THOREAU STILL BECKONS, if I can take my laptop", La Ferle argues that "making choices is much more difficult in a culture fueled by sheer busyness and commercialism. There are few places where one can escape." I agree with Cynthia G. La Ferle, author of "THOREAU STILLS BECKONS, if I Can Take My Laptop," that it would be more challenging for a modern American to live as Thoreau did. I think it would be harder for a modern American to give up their prized possessions, cell phones and other commercial items, to live in exile because we've already been exposed to this new era of commercialism and modern technology whereas Thoreau wasn't.

La Ferle says that Thoreau didn't have the luxuries we do such as three television sets, a computer or a comfy mattress. La Ferle says that Thoreau's idea of a "luxury might have been taking tea in his mother's bone china saucers. So what had he to commune with nature?" I agree with La Ferle. Thoreau didn't really have anything to give up when he left to live in the wilderness. The only thing Thoreau did give up was the basic comfort abilities of a home. In "Walden", Thoreau talks about how horrible his house was during winter.

America's modern day society is surrounded by modern technology. That not being the only reason we can't escape commercialism, but because of the temptation! Back in Thoreau's day there was hardly any use of technology like there is today. In "Walden" written by Henry David Thoreau, when Thoreau left his home in Concord, Massachusetts, he only left behind the post office which he hardly ever used, but about two times a year, and the newspaper which only contained local news. Now, with today's technology someone could get in touch with someone on the other side of the world or even be informed of world news daily! I wonder if Thoreau were enclosed by these capabilities if he himself could be able to resist these luxuries for two whole years.

La Ferle also argues about how difficult Thoreau's two-year estrangement was if it were true of the rumors of him occasionally walking to Emerson's wife's house for a home cooked meal. In my opinion, if the rumor was to be true, I believe it would be even harder for a modern day American to give up their luxuries if Thoreau couldn't even give up a simple home cooked meal. Not only would I be worried about eating a delicious meal, but also worried about what is going on with the outside world. That means no contact with family or friends.

La Ferle ends "THOREAU STILL BECKONS, if I can bring my laptop" by telling the story of how she went to visit Walden's Pond and it was crowded with other sightseers. What was once a peaceful place to reflect over one's inner self and now has now become a tourist site. This is an example of how one cannot even find solitary