Page 60: We are continuing to read the chapter, “Reading.” In the paragraph on the top of the page, he asks his Canadian friend “what is the best thing he can do in this world” and his friend answers, “to keep up and add to his English” (60). This got me thinking about how some of you speak English as a second language and that adding to your “English” may be something you do daily. Even if English is NOT your second language, aren’t we always acquiring new words and expressions? Page 61: In the long paragraph on page 61, Thoreau talks about education in the 19th century. One statement that stood you to me was, “Alas! What with foddering the cattle and tending the store, we are kept from school too long and our education is sadly neglected” (61). I am reminded here of the challenges facing many community college students who are trying to keep up with their classes while holding down jobs. Thoreau goes on in the paragraph to make a claim about the role “villages” should take in place of the “nobleman of Europe” (61). Noble born princes and kings would sponsor artists and scholars. In other words, they would support them so that they could purse their work. How might we apply this concept to our modern lives? Who would be the “village” and who would be the “nobleman”? Page 62: We start the next chapter, “Sounds.” In this first paragraph he compares reading to “looking” at what’s around us (62). Page 63: Oh, Mr. Thoreau! He makes me laugh when he writes, “Housework was a pleasant pastime” (63). Is it a pleasant pastime for any of you? Why do you think he says this? Page 64: In the next few paragraphs, Thoreau lists some of the things he hears. Make a list in your notebook or the margin of your book. Page 65: Thoreau talks a lot about the train in this book from several different perspectives. Here’s a link to a short video about the History of the Railroad Page 66: He continues his thoughts about the train as this new technology and compares it to “Atropos” or “fate” that “never turns aside” (66). This reminds me of how I sometimes feel about my phone as it nags me throughout the day, reminding me of meetings or alerts on social media or an impending flood. Do your technologies ever make you feel the way Thoreau is describing? Page 68-69: Finally, by the bottom of the page, the train is gone and now Thoreau turns his attention to “the voice of the wood” and feels “more alone than ever” (68). I don’t know about you guys, but “social isolating” has the same effect on me! Thoreau was the OG social isolator! I see it now. Page 70: He’s listening to owls. Here’s a picture of a cute one I met in Scotland. His name is Oscar. Page 71:
This is the end of the chapter. He describes the sounds of various birds. Now that spring is here, do you hear the sounds of birds? If not, open your window, especially early in the morning, and you’ll hear them.
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Book Order InformationNotes for Reading Guides:1. The page numbers in these Reading Guides correspond to the page numbers in the book listed above. You can also order the book by clicking HERE Resources |