“It is a soothing employment, on one of those fine days in the fall when all the warmth of the sun in fully appreciated, to sit on a stump on such a height as this, overlooking the pond, and study the dimpling circles which are incessantly inscribed on its otherwise invisible surface amid the reflected skies and trees” (Thoreau, 205).

This passage stood out to me because I feel I can relate to this. In his descriptions of the fall, Thoreau depicts what may be seen around us now. The temperatures of this season force us to appreciate each warmer day, and the warmth we enjoy now would have seemed quite cold a few months ago. Perspectives change with the seasons, and this passage highlights the peacefulness of a pond, especially at such a time. At home, there is a pond out in the woods that is fascinating to enjoy with its reflective and mostly smooth surface. The passage describes a beautiful setting, and it shows how Thoreau does truly feel a strong sense of attachment, appreciation, and love for Walden.

“Flint’s Pond! Such is the poverty of our nomenclature. What right had the unclean and stupid farmer, whose farm abutted on this sky water, whose shores he has ruthlessly laid bare, to give his name to it?” (Thoreau, 214)

Thoreau again addresses the idea of naming things. The importance of names and titles appears to be an important, recurring theme in class. A name defines, acknowledges, honors, or references someone or something. Thoreau discusses some ordinary farmer who happened to have a pond nearby, which became known as his own. He does not necessarily think this fair to the land and to history. He declares later that if naturally-occurring, beautiful locations are to be named after men, then it should only be the greatest and noblest men of all to represent nature.