Final answer:
Henry David Thoreau's choice to begin his stay at Walden Pond on July 4th is a deliberate act symbolizing his declaration of independence from society. His works 'Civil Disobedience' and 'Walden' have promoted ideals of individualism and self-reliance, impacting the way people think about government and societal participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is not a coincidence that Henry David Thoreau begins his stay at Walden Pond on July 4th. This date, symbolizing independence in the United States, is intentionally chosen to represent Thoreau's declaration of independence, but from what is the question. Given the context of Thoreau's advocacy for living a life free from unjust government restraints and social conventions, the answer to the question would be D) Society.
Thoreau's experiment at Walden Pond, as chronicled in his book Walden; or, Life in the Woods, is a practical extension of the ideals he argued for in his famous essay Civil Disobedience. Through his life at Walden, he sought to demonstrate how one could live simply, sustainably, and without the unnecessary burdens of government and social expectations, advocating for self-reliance and individualism.
Thoreau's writings, particularly these two works, have inspired countless individuals to think critically about the role of government and their own participation in society. His choice to start on Independence Day deepens the symbolic impact of his actions and underlines his message of personal freedom and duty to resist societal and governmental pressures that conflict with personal morals.