THE BATTLE OF THE ANTS BY HENRY DAVID THREAU

1. The Battle of the Ants
Dr.P.Samuel
Assistant Professor & Head
PG Department of English
Govt. Arts & Science College
Arakkonam

2. Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau was born on
July 12, 1817 in Concord,
Massachusetts, USA
He was arrested for refusing to pay
poll tax meant to support America’s
war in Mexico
Thoreau died of tuberculosis on May
6, 1862, at the age of 44

3. The Battle of the Ants
Its not a stand-alone essay, excerpted
from Thoreau’s Walden Pond, Chapter
12: Brute Neighbours.
Author observed two large ants, the one
red, the other much larger, nearly ½ an
inch large, and black in a wood pile
Red – Republicans, Black – Imperialists
Human soldiers never fought so
resolutely like this

4. The Battle of the Ants
Fought with more pertinacity than
bulldogs
Battle – cry was “Conquer or die”
Achilles - Mythical Greek hero
Patroclus – Friend of Achilles killed in
Trojan war.
The red sprang on black’s right fore leg &
damage it

5. The Battle of the Ants
In America’s history, Many wars like this
Author took the chip & viewed with
microscope.
Though red damaged black’s fore leg,
red’s own breast was all torn away
Author recognizes the ferocity and
carnage, of a human battle before my
door.

6. Conclusion
Proverb 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard;
consider her ways and be wise.
Kirby & Spence – battle of ants
Aneas Sylvius – great and small species of
ants
Olaus Magnus – great and small ants
Bio wars today, its not ants human beings
fighting and the author relates with
America