"Our houses are such unwieldy property that we are often imprisoned rather than housed by them"

Henry David Thoreau's quote speaks with the idea that our houses can end up being a concern instead of a blessing. He recommends that our houses can become a prison, trapping us in a cycle of debt and responsibility. He indicates that our homes can become a source of tension and stress and anxiety, instead of a place of comfort and security. He suggests that our houses can end up being a source of monetary pressure, as we are often required to take on more debt than we can manage in order to preserve them. He also implies that our houses can end up being a source of isolation, as we are often too hectic with the maintenance of our houses to spend time with family and friends. Eventually, Thoreau's quote speaks with the idea that our houses can become a source of unhappiness and frustration, instead of a source of happiness and contentment.