What did Thoreau mean by living lives of "quiet desperation"?

Question

I believe it was Thorough who said this. What is an example of a life of "quiet desperation"?

Answer 1

Do you know the poem "Richard Cory"?

I remember it still, with a shiver down my spine, though it is many years since we studied it in high school English class.
I apologise that I don't remember the author's name!

Whenever Richard Cory went to town
We people on the pavement looked at him
He was a gentleman from sole to crown
Clean shaven, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed
And he was always gentle when he talked
Yet still, he fluttered pulses when he said
"Good morning" - and he glittered as he walked

So on we toiled, and waited for the light
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread.
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night
Went home - and put a bullet through his head.

What Thoreau means should by now be clear - people who are law abiding, live quiet lives, cause no trouble to anyone, are not in desperate need may, nonetheless, be inwardly very desperate, and even sometimes, like Richard Cory, feel that ultimately, life isn't really worth living. And there are millions who get on with life, seem to be coping well, but are inwardly living "lives of quiet desperation".

Will this do as an example?

wimsey

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What did Thoreau mean by living lives of "quiet desperation"?
I believe it was Thorough who said this. What is an example of a life of "quiet desperation"?

Answer 3

Among other things, he was confounded by those who attach themselves to a narrow interpretation of the world and stagnate there without the courage to attempt to transcend those boundaries.

A life of quiet desperation can feature, among other things, a frustrated desire to communicate one's beliefs as to what will contribute to the "good of all," which is, unfortunately, lacking insight regarding all of the possible consequences for all individuals which could result from his or her attempts to realize that desire on his or her own terms.

Answer 4

I agree with wimsey. Our human nature demands that our lives mean something important enough to give us worth. Here is what the philosopher Camus said about worth:

'There is but one truly serious philosophical problem,'' Albert Camus wrote, ''and that is suicide.'' ''Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy.''

What makes life worth living? To live for our personal happiness doesn't give our lives worth yet there seems to be nothing else to live for. There is a dilemma here that we all desperately try to solve.

Answer 5

I think that Thoreau meant that the real human plight is what we do in our minds and while we're alone, such as spiritual growth and personal growth. This contrasts to the petty issues that we tend to get loud and upset about, such as material objects and social status.

Answer 6

It means living without hope of ever attaining what any and all human beings deep down need: reconciliation with the God who is the source of all life, light, and love. Only when, by faith in Jesus, whom God provided to make possible that sinful people can once again be children of a holy God and be confident of eternal life beyond the grave, can we live with peace, contentment, and joy, even in difficult circumstances.

Answer 7

he's referring to people who have dreams and fantasies but are too afraid or unmotivated to pursue them, or...

people who live with secrets but are too afraid to tell anyone (ie women in abusive relationships) either to avoid dealing with the conflict that would arise or would rather focus on other good things that would go away if the secret is released.

Answer 8

In turmoil and questioning everything underneath, but not saying anything...

pretending that all is well to the people around you.

Answer 9

Mine probably