Read the excerpt from Walden . Sympathy with the fluttering alder and poplar leaves almost takes away my breath; yet, like the lake, my serenity is rippled but not ruffled. These small waves raised by the evening wind are as remote from storm as the smooth reflecting surface. How does the excerpt support Thoreau’s view on solitude?
Answer
A
It shows that sitting by the lake increases his feeling of isolation.
B
It demonstrates that movements in nature create anxiety in humans.
C
It suggests that the natural world is the only place to be alone.
D
It indicates that when alone in nature, nothing can disturb his calm.
Explanation
Thoreau compares his serenity to the lake: the evening breeze may cause small ripples, but his calm is “not ruffled.” The ripples are far from a storm, just as small changes in nature do not seriously disturb him when he is alone there. This supports choice D, that nothing in his natural surroundings can disturb his calm.
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