Thoreau's Religion: Walden Woods, Social Justice, and the Politics of Asceticism

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By Alda Balthrop-Lewis *17

Published Dec. 19, 2020

Thoreau's Religion is a sea-change in interpretation of Walden Woods, seeing them not as a symbol for loneliness, but as Thoreau’s attempt to create a just and religious life through a practice of meaningful renunciation.

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PAW’s December 2025 cover, with a photo of Michael Park ’98.
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December 2025

Judge Michael Park ’98; shifts in DEI initiatives; a night at the new art museum.