Research Paper on:
Thematic Analysis of Life Without Principle by Henry David Thoreau

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
up to his point. He finally gets to the point and says: "Let us consider the way in which we spend our lives" (PG). He does this to introduce his  own personal philosophy. What does Thoreau believe? Above all, in reading this work, it pays to keep in mind that the author is a simple man and believes in the  good things in life. However, he begins by explaining that the world is "a place of business" (PG). He talks about work , what it means, and provides anecdotes.  Then he contends that men who are idle are criticized and this is unfair. One interesting point he makes is: "The ways by which you may get money almost  without exception lead downward" (Thoreau PG). What does this mean? He goes on to explain that to have done anything by which one earned money is to have been  truly idle or worse (PG). A laborer gets no more than the wages which his employer pays him, and he is cheated, and so he cheats himself (PG). Thoreau explains  that the most important traits are not rewarded. He explains that the poet for example is not well compensated. One can understand that Thoreau would believe that poets contribute  a great deal. Hence, it is understandable why he makes such claims. Finally, he expresses that the goal of a laborer should be not simply to earn a living but  to perform something well (PG). People should work for the love of what they are doing as opposed to doing something for an extrinsic reward. Also, a theme throughout  the work is that while work for money is generally not something to be applauded, a valuable man contributes to the community whether or not he gets paid. The unemployed