A review of the book “Cape Cod” by Henry David Thoreau about the unspoiled nature of the Cape during his time.
This paper examines the book “Cape Cod” by Henry Davis Thoreau which recounts his experiences on walking excursions around Cape Cod during the mid 1800’s in which he described much about the unspoiled nature present throughout the Cape at that time. It evaluates his perceptions of ecology and the environment through his observations, by the way he describes the plant and animal life of the area as well as his experiences with the fisherman. It concludes with how Theoreau might have been another Charles Darwin if he had the studied zoology or botany rigorously, instead of simply celebrating the differences.
Throughout the book, Thoreau notes things that we would celebrate today, such as exceptionally clean water. He describes swimming in such water with great delight, and comments on the fish he can see clearly swimming around his feet. This suggests that fish were more bountiful then than now, as well as the water cleaner. He also notes the thorn-apple growing around the edges of a small island, suggesting an ecological balance, with the plant helping fight the erosion of the little island.