How to Cite This Study Guide
MLA
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Course Hero. "Life Without Principle Study Guide." Course Hero. 14 Dec. 2020. Web. 4 May 2024. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Life-Without-Principle/>.
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APA
Bibliography
Course Hero. (2020, December 14). Life Without Principle Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Life-Without-Principle/
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Chicago
Bibliography
Course Hero. "Life Without Principle Study Guide." December 14, 2020. Accessed May 4, 2024. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Life-Without-Principle/.
Footnote
Course Hero, "Life Without Principle Study Guide," December 14, 2020, accessed May 4, 2024, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Life-Without-Principle/.
Overview
Author
Henry David Thoreau
Year Published
1863
Type
Essay
Genre
Philosophy
At a Glance
"Life Without Principle" is an essay written near the end of Thoreau's life and published in 1863 after his death. It originated as a public lecture titled "What Shall it Profit" which he delivered several times beginning in 1854. The essay indicates the ways in which people pursue the wrong goals in life instead of concentrating on things of meaningful and lasting value. As a condensed version of ideas that Thoreau expresses throughout his other writings, "Life Without Principle" continues to be read not only as an indication of his final thoughts but also as an overview of his fundamental philosophical perspectives.
Perspective and Narrator
"Life Without Principle" is written from the first-person perspective of Henry David Thoreau and makes references to both past and present cultures.
About the Title
"Life Without Principle" expresses Thoreau's basic philosophical views in passionate, succinct prose. The text offers his argument for how to live deliberately and purposefully. Thoreau critiques the pursuit of goals like the acquisition of wealth which he argues drive people to lead unexamined, unprincipled lives.
Summary
This study guide for Henry David Thoreau's Life Without Principle offers summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Explore Course Hero's library of literature materials, including documents and Q&A pairs.
Key Figures
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