Question 114·Hard·Central Ideas and Details
The following text is from Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden, first published in 1854.
THOREAU: Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which it was already but too easy to arrive at; as railroad iron is a magician’s rod, in its power to conjure up houses and trifles, but it is also a demon’s rod, twice as likely to draw us into our own mire. We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us. Did you ever think what those sleepers are that underlie the railroad? Each one is a man, an Irishman or a Yankee man. The rails are laid on them, and they are covered with sand, and the cars run smoothly over them.
In the text, which conclusion does Thoreau most directly draw regarding the role of technological inventions such as the railroad in people's lives?
For central-idea questions, paraphrase the author’s main claim in your own words using the most explicit lines (here, especially the reversal "it rides upon us" and the image of human "sleepers"). Then choose the option that matches both the author’s tone (strongly critical) and the relationship described (technology dominating people). Eliminate choices that soften the claim (e.g., “just a distraction”), flip it into a benefit, or make it neutral when the author is clearly judgmental.
Hints
Focus on the author’s strongest claim
Look for the line where Thoreau most clearly reverses the usual idea that people control technology.
Use the key metaphor
What does Thoreau imply when he says, “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us”? Who is in control?
Connect the ‘sleepers’ detail to the main idea
Why does Thoreau emphasize that the railroad is literally laid on top of men? What does that suggest about the cost of the invention?
Step-by-step Explanation
Clarify what the question is asking
The question asks which conclusion Thoreau most directly draws about the role of technological inventions (like the railroad) in people’s lives. You should choose the option that best matches his explicit attitude and imagery, not a general opinion about technology.
Locate the sentences that state Thoreau’s view
Key lines include:
- "Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things."
- "They are but improved means to an unimproved end"
- "We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us."
- The description of the "sleepers" as men under the rails, with cars running smoothly over them.
These lines directly communicate his judgment about inventions and the railroad.
Interpret the metaphors
Thoreau’s metaphors are sharply critical:
- "Pretty toys" and "distract" suggest inventions pull people away from what matters.
- "Improved means to an unimproved end" suggests better tools don’t improve the underlying purpose.
- "We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us" flips the relationship: the invention controls people.
- The "sleepers" imagery emphasizes that the railroad’s smooth functioning depends on human labor and suffering—people are metaphorically (and nearly literally) what the railroad is laid upon.
Together, these details point to technology as a system that burdens people and gains power over them.
Match to the best answer choice
Compare the choices to Thoreau’s claim that the railroad "rides upon us" and is built on human labor:
- Choices that say inventions don’t really burden people, or that they free people to focus on serious matters, clash with his imagery of domination and exploitation.
- A choice claiming inventions are morally neutral contradicts his strong moral language ("demon’s rod") and his criticism of their effects.
The choice that best matches Thoreau’s most direct conclusion is: "They tend to become masters of the people, demanding more of their time and labor rather than saving it."