Sympathy with the fluttering alder and poplar leaves almost takes away my breath; yet, like the lake, my serenity is rippled but not ruffled. These small waves raised by the evening wind are as remote from storm as the smooth reflecting surface. How does the excerpt support Thoreau’s view on solitude? It suggests that the natural world is the only place to be alone. It indicates that when alone in nature, nothing can disturb his calm. It shows that sitting by the lake increases his feeling of isolation. It demonstrates that movements in nature create anxiety in humans.