Chapter 9, The Autumn Years Summary and Analysis

Thoreau has developed a process for grinding the graphite in pencils to a very fine quality. This process could make him rich, but he never focuses on making big profits. He spends hours in the family pencil shop, especially after his father dies, and is a good manager, but the graphite begins hurting his lungs. Over and over he climbs Mount Monadnock to clear his congestion and breathe the fresh air. He continues to wear himself down by sleeping in the cold night air and walking around in the chilly rain.

In December of 1860, Henry takes a walk to count tree rings and catches bronchitis. The medicine of the day is useless, so he goes to Minnesota for his health, but it does no good. His last journal entry is on November 3, 1861. Finally he collapses...