Final answer:
Thoreau's equation represents key aspects of transcendentalism such as self-reliance, living a simple life, and the quest for deeper truth through personal experience and connection with nature. His literature embodies the movement's central tenets, influencing readers to re-evaluate their lives with respect to individualism and freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thoreau's equation expresses the transcendentalist belief in self-reliance and living a life of simplicity. His works, particularly Walden, emphasize the importance of individual thought and the rejection of societal conformity. Transcendentalism encourages the soul to seek a mystical union with the universe, beyond traditional reason and intellect, a concept thoroughly explored in Thoreau's writing and lifestyle.
Thoreau's narrative begins with the intent to live deliberately, to only confront the essential facts of life. Through his experiment at Walden Pond, he sought to cut away all but the essential aspects of living to better understand life's true needs. Thoreau, like his contemporaries within the transcendentalist movement, held a deep belief in the power of nature, the human spirit, and an individual's capacity to find truth beyond societal structures.
Moreover, Thoreau's ideals about freedom from government and societal expectations have inspired countless individuals to reflect on their own lives, embodying the transcendentalist ethos of forging one's own path and discovering one's own beliefs.