As an essay that inspired activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, “Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau reflects frustrations over 19th century American controversies, namely slavery and the Mexican-American war. Thoreau, an enthused abolitionist and transcendentalist, approaches these issues by prioritizing ethical principles. With a fervent tone, “Civil Disobedience” urges Americans to recognize the need for ethical thought and action by depicting the unequal relationship of the individual to government, exploring American ideals and the responsibility of the individual, and employing key rhetorical techniques such as repetition. Thoreau’s words eventually become a blueprint to effect change. “Civil …show more content…
“Civil Disobedience” champions individuality, emphasizing the significance of the person to the majority. For a “better government” to exist and perform justly and fairly, all men must “make known what kind of government would command his respect” (306). Men must reinforce their principals with action. Thoreau, ever the transcendentalist, goes on to describe his perfect government: based not on strength -for it does not help the minority- nor ruled by the majority –due to its likely corruption. Instead, the best guidance for the American people comes from their own, private “conscious” (306). Once one’s moral compass guides him or her, they should arrive at the same conclusion as Thoreau: “when a sixth of the population of a nation which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty are slaves… it is not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize” (308). Once Americans are aware of their own ignorance, they will resolve to reform. Regardless of consequence, an “individual” “must do justice” for those lead by …show more content…
By linking this word to government, Thoreau displays how the government truly wrongs its people. Additionally, this switch between machines representing citizens and civic council beckons readers to question their role to the government and how they halt the machine by adding “friction”, or fighting against wicked laws (312). Lastly, “Civil Disobedience” solidifies the concept of neighborliness as it relates to machinery. Thoreau’s concept of a neighbor harbors a lot complexity in the nuances and more subtle tones within his essay and underlying ideals. The very word neighbor radiates responsibility originating in Judaic-Christian practices, which expect people to treat neighbors as blood. Thoreau enlists the word eighteen times within his piece, flipping it back and forth to fit with a claim as needed. However, he withholds its purest definition until the last few lines of his essay: compassion, good will and mutual respect that glue together a nation. Thoreau’s perfect neighborhood of civic duty also reflects the “consent” and value of the individual needed to maintain a just and healthy nation (323); in its most romantic form and “when men