Final answer:
Thoreau's actions upon his release, fixing a shoe and leading a huckleberry party, represent his commitment to living deliberately and highlight his themes of freedom from government and societal expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry David Thoreau's anecdote about fixing his shoe and leading a huckleberry party upon release from jail is emblematic of his philosophy on living. Thoreau's decision to immediately engage in such simple, deliberate activities underscores his commitment to living deliberately and focusing on the essentials of life. This action reflects his two key themes: freedom from governmental control and freedom from societal expectations. Thoreau's ideology in Walden and 'On the Duty of Civil Disobedience' emphasizes the importance of personal sovereignty and the power of an individual living a considered life, free from the entanglements of excess and obligation.
Thoreau's experience of leading the huckleberry party on the day of his release demonstrates his belief in the freedom of mind that comes with simplicity and self-sufficiency. The act of repairing his own shoe rather than buying new indicates a practical approach to possessions—only keeping what is necessary and ensuring it lasts. By prioritizing those actions over more conventional pursuits immediately after gaining his freedom, Thoreau epitomized the values he extols in his writings.
Through his example, Thoreau inspires readers to consider how deeply one's lifestyle is dictated by societal norms and government expectations. His writings encourage a reassessment of our lives, echoing the importance of the two freedoms—freedom from government and freedom from societal conventions—which continue to influence people around the world long after Thoreau voiced his convictions.