I'm reading Thoreau's "Where I lived and What I lived For-"Solitude and Conclusion."

I don't understand how to answer this question.

What does he compare man and his life to?
Thank you

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=thoreau+%22where+I+lived%22

Read two or three of these sites that help analyze literature. Let us know what you think.

After I posted the question I went back and reread the one part. Does he compare man and himself to ants and like pygmies we fight with cranes?

Correct or not?

Yes, I think you're right:

"Still we live meanly, like ants; though the fable tells us that we were long ago changed into men; like pygmies we fight with cranes; it is error upon error, and clout upon clout, and our best virtue has for its occasion a superfluous and evitable wretchedness. Our life is frittered away by detail."
http://thoreau.eserver.org/walden02.html

Thank you-I reposted a new post so please disregard it-thank you again

To understand what Thoreau compares man and his life to in "Where I lived and What I lived For - Solitude and Conclusion," you should start by closely reading the text and identifying any metaphors or comparisons that Thoreau makes.

Thoreau often employs nature as a source of comparison and inspiration in his work, and this particular essay is no exception. In "Where I lived and What I lived For - Solitude and Conclusion," Thoreau compares man and his life to different aspects of nature, specifically trees and the seasons.

To find the exact comparison, you can look for the relevant portions in the essay. Begin by reviewing the sections where Thoreau discusses his observations of the natural world. Take note of any descriptions or analogies that relate to man and his life. Thoreau's language and choice of words will provide clues to understanding the comparison he makes.

Once you have identified the specific comparisons, you can then form your answer. It might be helpful to quote the relevant passages from the essay to support your interpretation. By following these steps and thoroughly examining the text, you'll be able to address the question accurately.