Henry David Thoreau’s trips to the Maine woods led to a gradual transformation of his views on Nature, Native Americans, and Transcendental spirituality. Most scholars attribute these changes to a combination of the Maine woods and his Penobscot guides, but one element missing in these interpretations is an understanding of woodcraft and its role in the alteration of Thoreau’s thinking. Raymond highlights the influence of Thoreau’s third Native American guide, Joe Polis. Polis’ ability to travel through the woods in harmony with nature shaped and deepened Thoreau’s Transcendentalist beliefs, confirmed his lifestyle and proved Polis to be Thoreau’s American Representative Man.

David B. Raymond has taught United States and Maine history at Northern Maine Community College for the past thirty-five years. He has published essays and reviews in numerous journals, including the Maine History Journal, The Concord Saunterer: A Journal of Thoreau Studies, The Robert Frost Review, and Philosophy and Literature.

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