I just finished reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau, and I noticed HUNDREDS of references to ancient mythology, the Classics, and the Bible peppered throughout the pages. Was this practice common for 19th century American intellectuals to do so? (see description)

by ProfessorGigs

- Or was this common for Transcendentalists like him, seeing how much of mythology goes against the mainstream churches, and their philosophy does not depend on seeking the church for wisdom?

- Or is he just showing off, seeing that he "flexed" on those who were ignorant to the Classics at one point in one of the chapters.

tersorium

The first draft of Walden was roughly half the size of the finished product and much of the expansion consists of all these cross-references. This was Thoreau's style. (Sort of a hangover from writing college papers, perhaps?) When he wrote about his travels to various places he would spend time before and/or after the journey gathering quotes from other authors about the locations.