An Indian Independence: Thoreau’s Free Readings of the Laws of Manu and the Bhagavad-Gita

Abstract

Traces the influence of Indian texts on Thoreau’s writing. Suggests earlier critics have not fully addressed this issue. Argues that Thoreau found in a number of Indian texts a method for developing the ability to remove himself sufficiently from society to question its organizational premises, preparing him to take action against social structures he found objectionable.