Academic Paragraph Contrasting Comparing

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Analysis of Thoreau 's Reading : Classical and Modern Literature

In analyzing Thoreau 's essay entitled Reading , an excerpt from his book Walden which was first published in 1854 , it is apparent that Thoreau finds great meaning and purpose in reading the works of classical literature in the ancient languages of Latin and Greek Although Thoreau places vital significance on reading classics in ancient languages , it is also important to be able to find meaning and purpose in the works of modern literature in current languages

. Thoreau claims that people who read ancient literature are in no danger of dissipation or luxuriousness ' and that it enables people to emulate their heroes . He believes that ancient literature is the only place where readers are protected and educated by a pure and heroic understanding of the natural world . However , this claim ignores the idea that modern literature is capable of being ethically strong and engaging in the formation of a moral foundation in readers . There are many instances of modern literature which are exemplary in underlining the vital need for strict attention to honorable and honest behavior Further along , Thoreau also calls attention to the idea that classical works of literature are only able to be correctly interpreted by reading them in the original ancient language . He boldly asserts that when the classics are translated into the current mother tongue within the modern world , then they are being presented in a language dead to degenerate times . Yet , this statement...