why doesn't thoreau get more guests than he wants in the "visitors" chapter in Walden?
In the "Visitors" chapter of Walden, Thoreau mentions that he welcomes visitors who arrive with a specific purpose or genuine interest in engaging with him and discussing meaningful topics. However, he often finds himself receiving more visitors than he desires. There are a few possible reasons for this:
1. Thoreau's reputation: Thoreau was known for his intellect, unique lifestyle, and ideas that challenged conventional norms of society. This reputation attracted a lot of curiosity and interest from people who wanted to meet and engage with him. Some visitors may have been drawn to Thoreau merely as a spectacle or novelty.
2. Lack of understanding: Many visitors may not have fully comprehended Thoreau's intentions for living in solitude at Walden. They may not have been aware or understood the purpose of his experiment in self-reliant living and contemplation of nature. Thus, they may have arrived with misguided notions of what Thoreau might offer or without any intention of engaging with him on a deeper level.
3. The desire for novelty: Thoreau's lifestyle at Walden was unconventional, and people may have visited out of sheer curiosity to experience and observe his way of life. However, they may not have been genuinely interested in the deeper conversations and intellectual exchanges that Thoreau sought.
4. Social obligations: Thoreau was a known figure in his community, and people may have felt obligated to visit him due to social norms or expectations. These visits may have been more out of obligation rather than a genuine interest in engaging with Thoreau and his ideas.
Overall, Thoreau did not control the number of visitors he received because of his reputation, misunderstandings about his purpose, curiosity, and social obligations that led people to visit him. This lack of control over the number of visitors often resulted in an overwhelming number of guests, which went against Thoreau's preference for solitude and deep contemplation.