Final answer:
Henry David Thoreau knew of his visitors' presence by the traces they left and welcomed them as a connection to society. In his writings, he explores the importance and methods of simple living and individualism, exemplified by his time spent at Walden Pond.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discussing Thoreau’s visitors, he notes that he is aware of them even when he is not home through the evidence they leave behind, like footprints or a note. In his work, Thoreau extols the virtues of simple living and intentional solitude, but he still welcomes occasional visitors, who provide a connection to the society he partially eschews. Through his writing, particularly in Walden; Or, Life in the Woods, he provides insights into his philosophy of life, which includes succinct observations of his surroundings and experiences, using unusual language and high rhetoric to articulate his thoughts. He mostly stayed at his Walden Pond cabin tending to his garden and writing, thereby living deliberately and fulfilling his philosophical and practical needs through simple living. Thoreau's works, including his essays on civil disobedience and natural history, contribute to his legacy as a preeminent figure in environmentalism and individualism.