Walden; or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau

Simplicity and moderation were some of the main themes in this story.  Henry starts the story off building his very   own cabin out of the nature around him.  He then went on to describe how there were people out there taking advantage of people who hadn't built their own homes.  For instance he tells how it cost him just as much to build his house as it would cost to stay at Cambridge College for a year.  Henry then moved on to describes the other faults that society today had.  Such as reading the newspaper and all of the gossip it included when they could be utilizing their time elsewhere bettering themselves.   Through the whole story it appeared as if the author was trying to sell his way of life and persuading people through his philosophy on life.  It is through a simple and modest life that one lives life to its fullest.  Materialistic things such as the railroads and newspapers are unnecessary and only distract people from the true beauties the world has to offer.