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An essay on disobedience
An essay on disobedience
An essay on disobedience
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More handpicked essays just for you.
An essay on disobedience
An essay on disobedience
An essay on disobedience
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
“Unjust laws exist: Shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them” (Thoreau 945, par.16). Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had written about resisting an unjust government in his piece, “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. In his essay “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience,” Henry David Thoreau also discusses the right and responsibility to resist an unjust government. Since King and Thoreau both use current events in their time as examples of injustice, use historical and biblical references, how they can’t wait any longer to make a change, both provide strong arguments on how important it is to stand up against the injustice put upon American people by the government; however, King and Thoreau were inspired to write by different causes
It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right." (Jacobus, 306). He argues that it is up to each and every individual to stand up for their own rights and know the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong. As said by Thoreau, by committing acts of civil disobedience or peaceful protests, citizens of the nations are able to have their voice to speak up against the wrongdoings of their own government. They bring attention to the more important issues at hand and allow opinions to be formed, and can thus spark change in society.
In his essay, “Civil Disobedience,” Henry David Thoreau uses rhetorical questions and many dehumanizing analogies to elicit an emotional reaction from his readers and urge them to carefully consider their relationship with the law. Firstly, he considers the correlation between man and law, and supplies the audience with many thought-provoking questions such as: “Why has every man a conscience, then?” The use of these questions inspires self-reflection within the reader and causes them to rethink their present beliefs. Because the questions primarily focus on the morals associated with lawmaking, Thoreau also adds an emotional appeal to his essay—everyone wants to do the right thing and will therefore be more connected to his argument.
Thoreau, knowing the widely accepted value of justice, says "If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go; perchance it will wear smooth - certainly the machine will wear out. If the injustice has a spring, or a pulley, or a rope, or a crank, exclusively for itself, then perhaps you may consider whether the remedy will not be worse than the evil; but if it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine. " His goal here is to inspire individuals to break unjust laws, to ultimately achieve the perfect idea of a government. By convincing his audience that civil disobedience is ethically and morally right, he achieves that goal.
Both Thoreau and Gandhi faced the consequences of disobeying wrongful laws. Americans in the 1900s disregarded Prohibition because it took their rights away. Hoping if many people continue to break the same law, the government may realize that the rule is flawed. The overall respect for law is still present and once again, it is completely acceptable to break unjust laws.
The two authors discuss different societal circumstances in their works, which is why these views clash. In addition, the encouragement of rebellion is another differing view. Thoreau supports the right to rebel if one disagrees with the law or finds it unjust. He accurately claims that “unjust laws exist,” but then prompts the reader by asking if society will “be
“I was not designed to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.” This is a quote from Civil Disobedience, an essay written by Henry David Thoreau after being thrown jail for his refusal to pay taxes in 1846. This quote is significant because it explains Thoreau’s belief that an individual should not be forced to abide by an unjust law.
Thoreau mentions it too, “..bt if it is of such nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then I say break the law” (Thoreau 6). They both encourage the individual to break the law if they believe it is unjust, there is nothing wrong with breaking the law if following would hurt you, the individual has the right to not follow any injustice. Both King and Thoreau want to end social injustice to improve the world. It is the responsibility of the individual to resist injustice since the government acts unjust due to the lack virtue, morality, and stamina from its people and leader. Although the government is filled with injustice Thoreau and King have hope that one day one individual will put an end to social
Peaceful resistance is a necessity and an integral part of a society because without the ability to peacefully resist the society is not truly free. The use of peaceful resistance has been a common way of expressing a person or group of peoples ideals since Henry David Thoreau wrote his essay called Civil Disobedience in 1849. Thoreau was a famous American writer and philosopher, and the essay talks of how he believes people need to put one’s morals and ideas over laws they may find unjust (Saxby). This is the basis and definition of what peaceful resistance is. The United States Constitution puts emphasis on the individual and if an individual believes in an ideal that goes against a law, they should be able to peacefully resist, especially
The reason why Thoreau wrote this section of the Civil Disobedience is because Thoreau believes that a person must stand on what they think is right. Example is when Thoreau states that the only obligation that he has is to do at any time what he thinks is right also saying that he thinks that a person must be a man first then become a subject. But the most important thing that Thoreau did to support his ideas was to protest the Mexican American war by not paying his taxes. He did what he thought was right he stood by his word. His protest didn't stop the war but it had more of a symbolistic impact.
“The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right” This is a quote from Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience”, he being a Transcendentalist held true to his belief; one being all humans are born with the unchallengeable moral truth within, and did not need outside influences to make the right decision pertaining to the business of life. I feel the quote hold true meaning to one’s inner thought; that they are only obligated to be true to themselves morally and in turn based on their perception to do the right thing concerning to any giving situation. With the concept of Civil Disobedience, I should not be made to follow a law or form of government, which is not for the people and in principle morally
The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.” This is and was an example to the people of America because this shows us that we need to choose what is right. This all relates correspondingly to civil disobedience, because these people spoke out to stand up for what is morally right and to make a point to America, and that it was their obligation to put America’s best interests first. Thoreau wanted to make a powerful statement and stand-up for what he believed was deserved, he believed paying the poll tax was wrong and he wouldn’t do it because he did not believe in it. The King Center Archive said that he believed citizens “ought deliberately to break laws that conflict with their moral
“Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have persuaded the majority to alter them.” Thoreau claims that the men should wait and get more men to go against the law and stop paying taxes to raise awareness that the law is
Therefore, it brings up the question as to how civil disobedience can be tolerated if it involves ignoring or breaking a law. The foundation of the United States is embedded in laws. The First Amendment provides for the right to assemble, which Thoreau clearly advocates in his essay. “If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go: perchance it will wear smooth--certainly the machine will wear out… but if it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then I say, break the law. Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine.
It was not until the 20th century, most notably Gandhi and Martin Luther King, where Thoreau’s idea of civil disobedience came alive. His theory was espoused by the liberal and social progressive movement; most notably the Civil Rights