Comparing The Bean Field And Brute Neighbors

Walden, by Henry Thoreau, is a book that reflects upon leading a simple life in the nature. Thoreau settles by the Walden Pond and begins to experience the nature. The Bean Field and Brute Neighbors from Thoreau’s experiences in Walden demonstrate an important aspect of life. In The Bean Field, Thoreau describes his life in cultivating beans on a rural field. Meanwhile, Thoreau explains his observation of the ant combat in Brute Neighbors. Overall, The Bean Field and Brute Neighbors suggest that every life has its own purpose and the purpose help creates a meaningful life. In The Bean Field, Henry Thoreau demonstrates that every man’s life has a purpose. Thoreau cultivates beans day after day in the field, and he comes to love his simple job. However, he does not know the answer when he questions himself on the reason that he raises beans. Thoreau states, “But why should I raise them? Only Heaven knows.” Moreover, although Thoreau’s job appears to be only cultivating beans and dull, he has to battle the worms, cool days, woodchucks, and the weeds that threaten his cherished beans. Thoreau notes, “...leveling whole ranks of one species, and sedulously cultivating another.” This shows that …show more content…
First, Thoreau mentions about the observation of ants. He discovers that a red ant and a large black ant are fighting against each other. From the fight, Thoreau learns that ants have a similar purpose at that moment although Thoreau does not know the cause of the fight. The purpose of the ants is to win the battle. According to Thoreau, “Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle cry was “Conquer or die.” Moreover, Thoreau compares this ant combat to the human combat of American Revolution War that strifes for independence or submission. Thus, this suggests that every life has a purpose in his or her actions, and purpose enriches