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"Baker Farm", "Higher Laws", & "Brute Neighbors" 10/17

2. What is the moral of Thoreau's story about his fishing with John Field?

The moral of Thoreau's story is that people do not know necessity until they are reduced to having only what is necessary. John Field was "honest (and) hard-working", but could barely provide enough for his family. Field and his wife work tirelessly to support their children yet they are all hungry. Meanwhile, Thoreau knows the meaning of necessity, and works far less than Field to yield a higher reward. Thoreau thinks that Field does poorly because he fails to understand what is necessity and what are simple extras in life.

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