Examples Of Transcendentalism In Civil Disobedience

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

“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

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