Being closer to nature and living the way that Thoreau did implies one must survive away from society. By being away from society we are able to have a deeper understanding and increased ability to analyze why society functions and behaves the way it does. Thoreau did not understand why so many people were uncertain about god, or why they felt it is the sole purpose of humanity to glorify him. He believed that we live our lives with little purpose, and have little desire to change this. Our lives are focused on petty, superficial concepts and actions. In order to be able to attempt to realize our potential, we must eliminate these harmful factors. The negative influences of society take us further from nature, and far-removed from isolation.
