Thoreau opens his book, Walden, by stating that it was written while he lived alone in the woods, in a house he built himself, on the shore of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.
He says he lived there for two years and two months, and then moved back to “civilized society”—thus acknowledging right away that this was not a permanent lifestyle choice, but only an experiment in living.
He describes the reactions of people to news of his project, noting their concern for his well-being out in the wilderness, their worry about his health in the winter, their shock that anyone would willingly forsake human companionship, and occasionally their envy.
Thoreau's early death was the direct result of his reckless lack of common prudence. That which made him live, in a literary way, curtailed his years. The man was improperly and imperfectly nourished, physically. Men who live alone do not cook any more than they have to: men and women, both, cook for emulation. That is to say, we work for each other, and we succeed only as we help each other.
To learn more, refer to the following sources below:
www.sparknotes.com - Walden
www.online-literature.com - Henry David Thoreau
www.gradesaver.com - Walden