Chapter Eighteen: Conclusion

Summary

In each of the preceding chapters, there has been a fine balance between Thoreau's detailed recounting of his experiences at Walden and his reflections and interpretations about them. In this final chapter, Thoreau becomes entirely reflective as he tries to make some kind of conclusion about both the experience and literature it produced.

Thoreau believes that his experiment in self-realization could not have been any more successful, and he encourages his readers to be bold and unafraid to undertake experiments on their own. Thoreau's great hope is that his book captures the essence of his experience in the woods. He is afraid, however, that his language cannot do justice to the subject matter.

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