ipl-logo

Thoreau's Impact On Civil Disobedience

1168 Words5 Pages

The government's flawed state can be corrected by the action of an individual. Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience heavily reinforces this idea by presenting novel concepts regarding the role, responsibilities, and options of individuals, as they pertain to government, throughout the course of the text. The text was written in 1894 during the time of the Mexican American war when the US government, and the people it represented, found itself in a turbulent, uncertain state. Thoreau’s mission was to inform other transcendentalists and civilians in the United States about the actions they could and should have taken against government when unacceptable forms of rule arose. Although many Americans believed achieving reform was impossible through the actions of individuals, Thoreau’s belief was that independent and just strides could be enough to make considerable change; this becomes clear when Thoreau says, “It is not as important that many should be as good as you, as that may be some absolute goodness, for that will leaven the lump” (Thoreau 4). This excerpt demonstrates Thoreau’s belief that the actions of one person can incentivize entire groups of people to take action and even correct a social institution as large as a national government. The other literary leader who expressed contempt for poor and unjust governance is Martin Luther King Jr. His …show more content…

Thoreau’s ideal way to impact the government is what King followed through with in his attempt to change the social injustice at hand. Unfortunately, the great steps these leader have left behind have no face to represent and continue on with the fight in the state of our modern day society. Social injustice is alive and well within our community and Thoreau and King would most likely try to change its content in order to continue with their mission to make a society equal and suitable for

Show More
Related
268 Words | 2 Pages

In my opinion Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. have very similar purposes in their writings. Both author 's are writing to protest unfair laws. But they also have very different audiences. In Civil Disobediance, Thoreau writes how those who break unjust laws should suffer the consequences as a protest to the laws.

Read More
1112 Words | 5 Pages

Government laws are necessary for our communities because if people do not agree with the government, it does not mean government decision are incorrect. In “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau talks about government and points out the flaws in the government system. On the other hand, in “ The Grapes of Wrath,” Steinbeck talk on the birth of civilization from physical and governmental issues. Although, many cases Thoreau and Steinbeck perspectives on government contradicts with each other however they both share similar thoughts about self-government.

Read More
422 Words | 2 Pages

Throughout history there have been many political changes that are either supported, or not, by citizens. In the given passage from, "Civil Disobedience," by Thoreau, a perspective of disagreeing with the government ways, is provided. Thoreau explains how a government should be in comparison to how it really is by utilizing his words to set the tone and mode, imagery to achieve his audience's understanding, and diction to make his writing scholarly. Although tone and mode are not directly stated, you can infer that Thoreau meant for his writing to be taken as serious and powerful. His implementation of words such as, "inexpedient," "execute," " integrity," and "command," makes one think about their lawful rights and reflect on what rights are supported or

Read More
883 Words | 4 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr discusses how the government is corrupt and does not care about all their citizens. Thoreau has influenced King to use his audience to show that the citizens of America should refuses to accept the rules of the government as they are because the government is selfish and focus on what they want to do for their own needs and not what they can do for the people around

Read More
2124 Words | 9 Pages

Mr. Thoreau argues that people should not allow any government to control or atrophy their thoughts or beliefs. Mr. Thoreau was an also remained a devoted abolitionist and has written

Read More
1845 Words | 8 Pages

Civil Disobedience Compare and Contrast Henry Thoreau and Martin Luther King both wrote persuasive discussions that oppose many ideals and make a justification of their cause, being both central to their argument. While the similarity is obvious, the two essays, Civil Disobedience by Thoreau and Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr. do have some similarities. King tries persuading white, southern clergymen that segregation is an evil, unfair law that ought to defeat by use of agitation of direct protesting. Thoreau, on the other hand, writes to a broader, non-addressed audience, and focuses more on the state itself. He further accepts it at its current state, in regard to the battle with Mexico and the institution of slavery.

Read More
739 Words | 3 Pages

The issue of how government should function has long been debated over the years. Both The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau discuss this issue. Steinbeck comments on the birth of civilization from physical needs to government issues in chapter seventeen of The Grapes of Wrath and Thoreau examines the function of government in “Civil Disobedience.” Their views on government clash in some aspects and agree in others. Steinbeck and Thoreau hold contrasting beliefs about individual conscience but agree on how a government should be operated and on the type of people needed in government.

Read More
699 Words | 3 Pages

Thoreau’s emotional appeal, while not nonexistent, is relatively small. Thoreau was “put in jail once on [the account of paying no taxes], for one night.” Thoreau displays a distaste for all things government since no “man with a genius for legislation has appeared.” Thoreau is trying to further his appeal by making his ideas more relatable to the common man, that may face oppression. King, on the other hand, faces oppression directly, and addresses it as so.

Read More
897 Words | 4 Pages

The main similarity in the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Henry David Thoreau is the idea of revolution against an abusive government. The main difference is the context in which each document was written, the Declaration of Independence as the colonies were rebelling against Great Britain and forming their own government, and Civil Disobedience as criticisms of the government developed within nearly seventy-five years after the signing of the Declaration. Both Jefferson and Thoreau share ideas of revolution, although overthrowing the government is seen in many cases as illegal. Both documents share a common theme of revolution, and both authors believe the best way to move toward a better government is civil disobedience. Jefferson and Thoreau believe that whether it is the struggle for independence or being freed from injustices of the government, civil disobedience and revolution are necessary in order to live in a society based on freedom.

Read More
1249 Words | 5 Pages

For Thoreau, the individual should take action against societal problems instead of relying on the government to change them. Although it is not people’s responsibility to completely change the way society runs, they need to make their opinions known in order for change to happen. If they do not agree with an idea, they cannot just vote by “a strip of paper merely, but [their] whole influence” (Thoreau 7). People must actively work to enact change. Voting through a strip of paper will not do anything since the government will continue doing what they choose unless they are met with resistance.

Read More
842 Words | 4 Pages

Words are the most compelling drugs used by humanity. In “Resistance to Civil Government” and “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Thoreau and King showed that if words are used properly in society, they can make a difference. Injustice is a huge deal for both Thoreau and King. They talked about their beliefs and told people to stand up for themselves in the government. If they really want something, they need to speak up, no matter what the consequence will be.

Read More
530 Words | 3 Pages

There are a couple of thoughts from Thoreau 's words; first, they are fascinated by the way he perceived how the administration was ruled. From his point of view, he saw himself as the villain and he was administered by the force of men and it was not in the slightest degree controlled in a common manner. Additionally, Thoreau was against the government, and he needed individuals to perceive how the legislature is brimming with force, but not in a persuasive manner. …” They who have been bred in the school of politics fail now and always to face the facts.

Read More
1273 Words | 6 Pages

Near the beginning of his renowned essay, "Civil Disobedience," Henry David Thoreau appeals to his fellow citizens when he says, "...I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. " This request serves as a starting point from which the rest of "Civil Disobedience" emerges. Thoreau 's essay is particularly compelling because of its incorporation of rhetorical strategies, including the use of logos, ethos, pathos, purposive discourse, rhetorical competence and identification. I will demonstrate how each of these rhetorical techniques benefit Thoreau 's persuasive argument. Thoreau uses logos throughout his essay to strengthen his argument with reasoning.

Read More
1033 Words | 5 Pages

“I do not wish to quarrel with any man or nation, I do not wish to split hairs, to make fine distinctions, or set myself up as better than my neighbors” (“Civil Disobedience”). Henry David Thoreau was a man who was marvelous at contradicting himself. He says he does not want to make himself seem superior to others, but all the man does is patronize others who do not think or act as he does. The man preaches individuality, but one cannot truly be an individual; all the ideals that someone come up with and follow, it is almost promised someone else has already thought of it. The simple act of trying to have someone follow the way another think and live, which is what Thoreau spent most of his life doing, is in fact stripping them from their own

Read More
138 Words | 1 Pages

Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher and writer who wrote “Civil Disobedience.” Thoreau talks about growing up during the time of slavery and wanting the government to stop. Thoreau claims: “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau expresses agreement with the idea “that government is best which governs least.” Thoreau was a man who wanted the people to stand up for their freedom and help stop the government from taking over by all the wrong things they were doing to America. Jacob, Hughes, and Thoreau loved America and knew it was the land of freedom and change, so they fought and never gave up.

Read More

More about Thoreau's Impact On Civil Disobedience

Open Document