Similarities Between Thoreau And Gandhi

In the Crito by Plato, Socrates argues against civil disobedience, seeing it as an unjust act. Contrasting this view, Martin Luther King argues for civil disobedience against unjust laws, and seeing it as a responsibility of citizens. Civil disobedience is the active refusal to obey certain law, commands or requests of the government. I will argue that the view of Socrates is superior to the view of Martin Luther King on the justness of civil disobedience. Using the argument against harm, I will show that even if a law is viewed as unjust, you must not repay an evil with another evil, as evident in the Crito while contrary to ideas presented by MLK. I will also show that civil disobedience is an action in which it is probable that anarchy will

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. Thus that a person ought to do as he does and not agree to pay taxes to the state that is in support of such evil customs or practices. While both King and Thoreau triumph in their establishment of a firm perception of what they strongly have faith in, they both are successful in their efforts to persuade through different means. Regarding the manner in which King draws emotional appeal through passionate speech, we also see with Thoreau when he makes apparent that he is devoted in what he stands for. Thus attracting more appeal through being more troubled and concerned instead of being innocently optimistic and hopeful. Nevertheless, similarities weigh against differences as both King and Thoreau give reliability to the moral

Antigone and Martin Luther King Jr. are both very important figures when it comes to discussing the topic of civil disobedience; both fought for what they believed to be right and against the injustice of the state. Antigone went against the edict of the king and buried her brother and Martin Luther King Jr. broke the law to try to end segregation and racism in America. Even though some similarities can be found between the two, ultimately they went about civil disobedience in very different ways. Antigone’s method was personal and selfish and she took an extremely defiant and rash stance while martin Luther King’s approach was more analytical and thought out. It is for these reasons that I believe King’s method was more successful and is the

Both Civil Disobedience and the Gandhi article are alike based on the fact they both discuss civil disobedience, attending prison, and standing for one’s beliefs. Civil disobedience can be seen as a good thing and a bad thing depending on to what extent one is breaking the laws. Some people may break the law because they feel that it is unfair to them but others break the for the simple fact of doing what they want in order for it to benefit themselves. Laws are meant for the majority which means even if they are not pertaining to certain citizens. Thoreau targeted laws that pertained to him, Gandhi went on strike for the better of his country and people. Gandhi and Thoreau had many similarities and differences about civil disobedience.

By analyzing both of these writings it’s almost obvious that Martin Luther King was influenced by Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” because they both use very similar writing techniques. King also described a four step to a non-violent protest, and the first one is to collect facts to determine whether an injustice law exists. This relates to Thoreau’s critique of an unjust government because Thoreau believed that every machine had

His father was a Baptist minister, as was his grandfather, and Martin Luther grew up to be the third minister in the family. He was a bright and intelligent young man, being the valedictorian in his high school class, attending college, and earning a doctorate degree. Of course, Martin experienced racial segregation throughout his lifetime, which led him to become involved in the civil rights movement. Influenced by Gandhi’s actions in India, he led many peaceful protests, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, in hopes of ending segregation. Martin Luther King believed in racial and ethical equality, nonviolent protests, and love and peace. These beliefs compare to those of transcendentalists in that both value individualism. Transcendentalists encourage others to think for themselves, which will promote peace and harmony in a community. “People can trust themselves to be their own authority on what is right,” (Transcendentalism). Martin Luther didn’t conform to a society that said it was okay to segregate people based on race. Instead, he spoke up for what he believed in and he did it peacefully. “At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize” (Martin Luther). However, transcendentalists believed in

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.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are two profound African American figures in history. They both fought for equality and to better humanity. But, the tactics they used were very different. Their different views may have been rooted from the where they were raised. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in a middle class family and received a very solid education. Malcolm X grew up in a much lesser community. His neighborhood was violent and there wasn’t much schooling. Martin Luther King Jr. was always against violence, throughout his entire lifetime and believed using nonviolent forms of protest. King would even condone being nonviolent when he was hurt physically. Malcolm X used whatever form of protest he needed to get the job done and his

Resistance to Civil Government (Civil Disobedience) is a dissertation written by American abolitionist, author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau published by Elizabeth Peabody in the Aesthetic Papers in 1849. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was born and lived almost his life in Concord, Massachusetts. After finishing public and private school in Concord he attended the prestige Harvard University. He excelled at Harvard despite leaving school for several months due to health and financial setbacks. Mr. Thoreau graduated in the top half of his class in 1837. 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

Henry David Thoreau is known as one of the most influential writers of all time. His ideology is idolized by many writers including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In civil disobedience, Thoreau expresses his strong dislike for the United States government and his opposition to slavery and the Mexican War. Thoreau believes everyone has the responsibility to fight against unjust laws. He spent a night in jail because he refused to pay taxes to support the Mexican war. About a century later, Dr. King, inspired by Thoreau exercised civil disobedience to fight for justice for African Americans. After reading Dr. King’s “letter from Birmingham Jail, one can conclude that he has been strongly inspired by Thoreau. Although both authors believe

During the civil rights movement people tried to use violence. But, with that violence people did not want to give them compassion. So, Martin Luther King Jr. did, something different. He used peaceful protests to get his word out. MLK knew that compassion was the key to success. He knew that if they

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil right activist who fought for the right and equality of African American citizens. In his speech, he stressed that nonviolence was a more effective way to success. One of the rhetorical devices that was key was his persona. His persona showed his followers that with patience and persistence change will come. In his speech, King spoke about the march in Birmingham, Alabama, where he and his friend Bull Connor lead. During this event, there were dogs sicced on them as they sang and how they were sprayed with water hoses then arrested. He spoke and said that while all this was happening they remain peaceful, by doing say they

First things first, this comparison essay is between Henry David Thoreau and Gandhi. Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817, in Concord, Massachusetts. He was an American essayist, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, and historian. He started writing nature poetry in the 1840’s, with poet Ralph Waldo Emerson as a mentor. Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India. “He was the leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.” Gandhi had more of an impact on people than Thoreau because “his death left all

Powerful voices that changed the world Activists all around the world change unfair laws using non-violence and silent voices. “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced”-Malala Yousafzai (goodreads.com). One activist who changed the world using non-violence is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He lived a peaceful

Martin Luther king JR and Mandela had similar strategies to achieve their goals.They had the same goals in mind. Martin Luther king JR wanted equal rights for people of color.Mandela had almost the same goal as Martin luthier king JR they both wanted equality for the people with different skin color.Both Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther king JR worked hard to achieve equality by protesting against the government and achieve their goals to have equality no matter skin color.