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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The February 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a photo of Joseph Nye.
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