An Analysis Of Henry David Thoreau's Essay 'Slavery In Massachusetts'

The narrative essay “Slavery in Massachusetts”, written by Henry David Thoreau is publish in Framingham, Massachusetts on July 4, 1854 during an Anti-Slavery Celebration. Henry David Thoreau is an American author, poet and essayist and known for his book “Walden” and “Civil Obedience” which both reflects the slavery in the country. The essay is based on his speech during the Anti-Slavery celebration and a reflection of his disappointments towards the citizen of Massachusetts. The main idea of the essay is actions speak louder than words, reflecting the actions the citizens of Massachusetts did for the slaves. In “Slavery in Massachusetts”, Henry David Thoreau expresses his disappointments towards the citizens of Concord because of how they dismiss the issue of slavery at their

He talks about how citizens reads everything of the newspaper and believes it, “how people who read them are in condition of the dog that returns to his vomit” (p.241 paragraph 2 line 24). The quote is a reflection of a bible verse which express as the people who continue to commit the same sins are like dogs returning to their vomit. Thoreau’s view of the comparison is that it shows how people who allow slavery to continue are slaves to immorality because they are not doing anything to stop the corruption and events. At the end of the essay, Thoreau gave a little hope to humanity by talking about a beautiful Lily growing out of the “muck and slime of the earth”. Although Henry attacks the morality of humanity he still has hope that the citizens will somehow change their immoral ways. There is hope in humanity indeed, as Henry David Thoreau still believes. He gave this speech to show his compassion towards Slavery and to wake up the morality of the citizens of Massachusetts and to worry about their town instead of worrying someone else