The Combination of Voices: The Overlapping Views of Jenny Odell and Henry David Thoreau In “How to Do Nothing”
Throughout How to Do Nothing, Odell makes many references to other artists’ work. Be it an art show, a novel, or any multitude of art forms, Odell finds ways to weave them into her work, enhancing the content of her message and how it is portrayed. Odell’s writing style is shaped by how she incorporates others’ work, whether it is a brief explanation, a small excerpt, or embracing another author’s story as she tells her own. From a piece of work that is barely related to the topic at hand, Jenny Odell can create a link to her thoughts to make every aspect of the complex idea relatable to her audience.
One of Odell’s signatures in her style is starting every chapter with a quote. Most of the time the quoted works are never referenced again, but in a simple short excerpt, Odell sets up the rest of the chapter. Chapter six, Restoring the Grounds for Thought, begins with a quote from Henry David Thoreau’s Walking. The quote is only three sentences of the 26-page lecture and creates a simile between birds leaving from a lack of trees in comparison to man losing thoughts from not having a stimulated mind. The simple quote chosen by Odell perfectly opens the rest of the chapter as she elaborates on distancing oneself from toxic parts of society and technology, turning to nature and natural hobbies to grow as an individual. Even though Odell only chose to use a small portion of Thoreau’s work to exemplify her bird watching hobby, the two authors’ complete pieces go hand in hand.
Walking is one of Thoreau’s lesser-known pieces. In all of his works, Thoreau preaches naturalism and transcendentalism, stating that the only way for man to grow is by returning to nature, even if it meant abandoning society, commonly rephrasing statements such as “Wildness is the preservation of the World.” (Walking) In Walking, Thoreau takes a different approach, encouraging even the attempt of distancing from society, how the act would overall affect a man, and a reflection on man’s place in nature. Thoreau believes in the benefits of walking, or “sauntering,” as a means of finding peace and unifying with nature in an effortless everyday way. Walking “has nothing in it akin to taking exercise, as it is called, as the sick take medicine at stated hours …but it is itself the enterprise and adventure of the day”(Walking).The metaphor of walking is very similar to Odells own “bird observing.” Both hobbies originate with simple acts anyone can do, from walking around the block to looking out your window at a sparrow. The hobbies also reflect an attempt at involvement, although one is watching nature while the other is walking through it. Literary choices aside, both philosophers also share similar views.
While Odell and Thoreau lived over a hundred years apart, their ideologies are very similar. Odell encourages her readers to turn to nature, leaving society and technology behind. Thoreau describes the action as “We should go forth on the shortest walk, perchance, in the spirit of undying adventure, never to return; prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only, as relics to our desolate kingdoms.” (Walking) While technology was not the main issue in Thoreau’s time, he believed that civilization was starting down a road that would ultimately lead to its demise. Both authors encourage their audiences to spend time in nature, even if it is starting slowly. The process of how you grow in nature in itself is a journey. There is no fault in starting small, being a novice however you enjoy nature, and growing into an enlightened form of it. Despite being labeled as an anarchist, Thoreau believed that total separation from society in the name of nature was unrealistic, however, even small moves toward distancing were beneficial and necessary. It is because of their similarities that Odell did not write about Thoreau in her book.
Odell’s writing style is unique, her ability to tie together small bits of other’s work to highlight a portion of her thoughts. Odell is even able to write as a story, being able to slowly incorporate more parts and the complexity of her thoughts as if it was the plot of a story. Even if it is not a specific tale, Odell can take one experience, such as her journey with bird watching, and share it to elaborate on a greater whole.
Throughout Thoreau’s lecture, he mentions the works of famous philosophers. Thoreau refers to pieces by Homer and Chaucer, as well as some of his poems. Although Thoreau does not take you on a journey, he talks you through his thought process. Starting with the simple act of walking and moving through why it is necessary, and man’s place with nature in general. As Thoreau and Odell’s thoughts, as well as literary styles, are very similar, being able to incorporate his work into her own is not possible, however, there are small parts of his lecture that could enhance some parts of her work.
Near the end of Thoreau’s lecture, he defines “useful ignorance,” in balance with an understanding of your limitations of knowledge and growth. This concept contrasts with some of Odell’s earlier theories. At the start of the book, Odell dives into useful uselessness, being able to find what you are good at, being an individual. Odell believes that everything has a purpose and use, however, it may be hard to find or useless in someone else’s eyes. Odell’s opinion on usefulness just misses the mark of what Thoreau dives into with useful ignorance. If Odell were to indulge in Thoreau’s works, it would complicate her organization, tying in the contents of uselessness from the start of the book, with small motions of leaving society from the end of her book.
Thoreau sees everyone as individuals much like Odell, however, what this means is understanding limitations. Not only are we limited by ourselves but also in comparison to the larger world we will never be able to comprehend. While the main point of Thoreau and Odells works, as well as their methods, align, the small details and other notes they choose to elaborate on differ, overall creating two very different works.
The small quote at the beginning of the chapter is enough to create a strong connection between Odell and Thoreau. If previous knowledge of Thoreau and Walking is known, it sets the stage for the information Odell is about to deliver. Walking relates to all of Odell’s ideas, let alone just those presented in chapter 6. Clearing one’s mind through the acts of a simple natural hobby to mentally grow as an individual. Odell and Thoreau present similar ideas in different ways, making any relation to Thoreau’s work in How to Do Nothing impossible due to the complexity it would create. However, with previous knowledge of the piece behind the quote, a strengthened view on the importance of nature and being involved in your natural surroundings is embedded in the reader.
