Book & Review Forums: Walden
Intro
" I will therefore ask those of my readers who feel no particular interest in me to pardon me if I undertake to answer some of these questions in this book...I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well."
Why does he apologize for his story if we've already chosen to engage in it. Reading's not an act that can be inflicted on someone. It's rather a clear and decisive choice and commitment. His claim to humility, ironically, reeks of arrogance to me in these first few paragraphs. Am I being too cynical?
Replies (1)
Posted by
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You could see it as being a bit arrogant, I suppose, but he goes on to say, "In most books, the I, or first person, is omitted; in this it will be retained; that, in respect to egotism, is the main difference. We commonly do not remember that it is, after all, always the first person that is speaking." In other words, writers are always writing about themselves in some way. Thoreau is just being more open about it.
I actually like how clear and direct the opening is, especially compared to many other Victorian writers, who were famously long winded.Apr 9, 2009 1:32 pm
by moonbindery
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