EM 3050 Activity: Thoreau Teaches Hawthorne to Canoe
OBJECTIVES
To learn about the connection between the Concord River and the Old Manse and its inhabitants. To write and think about our connection to nature through time spent outdoors.
MATERIALS
A journal or notebook
Pen or pencil
Drawing materials (optional)
ACTIVITY
- Listen to Boat Lessons and Friendship on the Concord River.
- Read a little history of the Old Manse, the Hawthornes, and Henry David Thoreau:
On the night of their wedding in 1842, Nathaniel and Sophia Peabody Hawthorne moved into the Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts. As a wedding gift to the new couple, Ralph Waldo Emerson wanted to plant a vegetable and melon garden at the Manse, so he sent over Henry David Thoreau to accomplish the task. It was here that Nathaniel met Emerson’s young protégé for the first time, and the two would share a connection and mutual friendship throughout their lives. Different in personality, literary style, and beliefs, it seemed to be this difference that brought them closer together, and they shared many small adventures around Concord.
One such adventure was the sale of Henry’s boat, the Musketaquid, to Nathaniel. On September 1st, 1842, Henry and Nathaniel took the little boat for a ride on the Concord River, and Henry described his encounter of Native Americans using boats a few years back. After this experience, Henry claimed that he had mastered the technique by only observing them. At the end of the day, he had sold the small craft to Nathaniel.
The next day, Henry returned on the Musketaquid once more to finally part with his boat, but not before first taking Nathaniel out once more in order to teach him the technique involved in steering the craft. Nathaniel found steering with two paddles easy enough, but he struggled greatly while just using one. Henry did not seem to be too helpful either, as he explains that Nathaniel only needs to “Will” the boat in any particular direction. The flustered Nathaniel resigned from his practice for the day, and while he doubted that he will ever go on journeys as far as Henry had, he intended to keep practicing. Before the two part, they agreed on a new name for the boat, the Pond-Lily.
Taking the newly named Pond-Lily out two days later, Nathaniel was able to manage navigating the boat all by himself. Pleased at this accomplishment, he reflects on the pleasure being out on the water and being able to control the boat. Finally, Nathaniel muses about his desire to be in relationship with nature more deeply; a very transcendentalist thought that hints at the impact young Thoreau is having on Nathaniel.
- Some Things to Muse On:
We invite you to reflect on this story and how it makes you feel. Whether this involves writing in a journal, or simply spending some time to think about it, we encourage you to participate in whatever way feels best to you. Furthermore, we have come up with some prompts that may help to guide you in your reflection of this piece.
Nathaniel finishes his writings about the Pond-Lily with a reflection on his appreciation of nature, and his desire to be more attuned with it. Have you had a similar experience while out in nature? Are there things you wish you could do to be in a greater relationship with nature?
This little adventure involved Nathaniel trying new experiences, and in his writings, he goes through a range of emotions in learning this new skill. Have you had an experience like this recently? Did you handle it like Nathaniel, or take a different approach?
The friendship between Henry and Nathaniel was strong despite their differences. For example, Nathaniel was more bookish and introverted, while Henry was much more experiential in his approach to learning. Do you have a friendship that is similar? Reflect on the challenges this can present, and the strong bonds that can form because of this.
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#umbrellaarts #musketaquid #concordearthday #musketaquidearthday #earthday3050
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