thoreau and yeats at the intertextual level

Sabrina Sandoni Cultural Studies II
Highlights in British Poetry II


After reading the poem “The Lake Isle Of Innisfree” by William Butler Yeats, and the chapter “Where I Lived, And What I lived For” of the book “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau, I reached the conclusion that, in both works, the poets try to show a path to a wise approach to life by putting emphasis on three ideas: Nature, Isolation and Simplicity.

Nature is the main idea in Yeats’ and Thoreau’s works, and the poets use it to mark a contrast with society. By seeking refuge in the natural world, Yeats and Thoreau are somehow criticizing and avoiding the complexities of urban life. They are not satisfied with the kind of life that is led in the “concrete jungle”- full of strains, prejudices, ostentation, and unfairness- so they have the impulse to go to Nature. They know Nature will provide them with the materials to build their shelter, She will nouri...