Final answer:
Henry David Thoreau's self-sufficiency at Walden Pond was an effort to live simply and deliberately, focusing on only what was essential to life and independence, free from society's complexities, which he outlined in his influential work, Walden.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of Henry David Thoreau's exercise in self-sufficiency was to explore and demonstrate the value of living a simple life, free from the trappings and complexities of society. By moving to a cabin he built on Walden Pond and living there for over two years, Thoreau was able to practice simplicity and focus on the essential facts of life. His experience and reflections are captured in his work, Walden, where he discusses his philosophy of living deliberately, his pursuit of freedom from material and societal constraints, and his belief in self-reliance and personal independence,
which were also echoed by fellow transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thoreau's time at Walden Pond also allowed him to write extensively and pursue his interests without the external pressures commonly associated with urban life.