Thoreau’s book about the austere but happy life at Walden Pond propagated his fame around the world. He built a small hut and began living an ascetic existence. He found it to be a felicitous experience. In this idyllic setting he was able to spend his time reading, studying nature, writing and thinking. Far from being indolent, he kept busy in many ways. At the end of the experiment he recalled the halcyon days with pleasure. He believed he had learned the secret of the truly happy life. The only tenable way of life is one in harmony with nature; material possessions are superfluous.
- austere – keras, tegang, severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance
- propagate – menyebarkan
- hut – gubuk
- ascetic – pertapa, a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstention.
- felicitous – sangat tepat, well chosen or suited to the circumstances.
- halcyon – tenang, sentosa, denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.
- tenable – yg dapat dipertahankan/dipegang, able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.
- superfluous – berlebihan, unnecessary, esp. through being more than enough
