Contents Introduction Main part

Conclusion
In conclusion, we may say that transcendentalism is an American system of thought deriving from both European Romanticism and New England protestantism that privileges nature and the individual over civilization and tradition.
Walden is a classic example of transcendental thought in its advocacy of both individualism and nature. Thoreau urges his readers to explore their own souls and to act as individuals in order to decide what to do with their lives. He has looked around and seen many people leading what he called lives of quiet desperation by trying to live according to norms or traditions that others have established.
Thoreau writes eloquently in Walden of people who go into debt for farms and businesses, then spend their lives toiling unhappily to keep up an image of success and prosperity, spending their lives working in drudgery to be able to buy a lot of things that they don't really want or need. Walden models transcendentalism in that Thoreau actually follows his heart and his individual desires to upend this materialist convention and forge a highly individualized, alternative path through life. In fact, however, it is not so much a desire that he follows, but the promptings of his innermost spirit, akin to the protestant ideal of following conscience as a guide to the good life.
Walden also expresses the transcendentalists' love of nature. Much of the beauty of the book rests in Thoreau's unabashed love of nature and his skill at describing it. Walden expresses the Romantic ideal of nature as a place of infinite variety, joy, and a way through which any person can be wealthy in spirit
The main themes in Walden are the beauty of simplicity, wealth versus poverty, and spirituality in nature.
The beauty of simplicity: Thoreau believes that his solitude and minimalism allow him to easily access the meaningful and essential elements of life.
Wealth versus poverty: Materialism is counter to Thoreau’s ideals of enlightenment, and he emphasizes that living with only the most basic comforts can allow one to grow spiritually.
Spirituality in nature: Thoreau lives closely in tune with nature and emphasizes the sacred similarities between all living things.
In addition to providing details on his self-sustaining practices while living alone in the woods, Thoreau illuminates his motive to seek a minimalist lifestyle. Throughout Walden, Thoreau endeavors to live off the land as a means to gaining insight into the earth’s natural wonders. With careful observation of the sights and sounds of the wilderness surrounding him—from the singing birds outside his window to the fish in Walden Pond—he captures the minute splendors of simple living. Thoreau’s objective is to assess the ingredients for a meaningful existence guided by a sense of purpose; for him, these ingredients include solitude, nature, and wisdom, among others.
While illustrating his transition into primitive living, Thoreau admonishes the emphasis that society places on wealth as an indicator of success. In discussing what he views as necessities for survival—food, shelter, clothing, and fuel—Thoreau analyzes the distinction between the function and luxury of material goods. For example, in “Economy,” he chastises the wealthy for using their means to buy extravagant clothing and other nonessential goods. 
Thoreau’s two-year experiment of living at Walden Pond was on one level an effort to determine whether a person really needed the material possessions that were considered essential in mid-nineteenth century America. His book demonstrated that one could attain the good life by living in harmony with nature supplied only with the bare necessities. The first chapter, entitled “Economy,” demonstrates that human needs are few; thus, there is no need to exploit nature to attain them. Much of the rest of the book attacks the acquisitive spirit. At bottom, Thoreau argues, materialistic values indicate not enterprise but a basic lack of spiritual self-reliance. In Thoreau’s ethic, ownership of the land is invalid. Humans should act as stewards rather than squires.