ipl-logo

Thoreau's Distrust Of Government Summary

461 Words2 Pages

Thoreau begins his essay with the motto "That government is best which governs least." He expresses his distrust of government by explaining that he believes it to be "perverted and abused" before people can decide upon issues with it. He makes his point by referencing the Mexican war which was lead by a collection of wealthy individuals who manipulated the government's act of conduct to their liking. Thoreau claims that government is itself, a oppressive and corrupt tool that allows few men to will on the majority to become economically successful. Thoreau views government as an obstacle in the way of the people it's created to represent. Thoreau then goes on to establish the fact that man is to act on his conscience, even if it goes against …show more content…

Thoreau does not believe in anarchy but the bettering of present establishments. Thoreau establishes the fact that “men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines,” and that most men do not act with conscience and they are therefore celebrated as good citizens even though they are “as horses and dogs.” But men who act on the thought of true justice are made out to be enemies of the state, and are treated as such. Thoreau identifies that in American culture most men act as lost souls following his government even if its wrongful to others in society. He believes that man disgraces himself by following a government that treats even some of its citizens unjustly, even when that man one who was wronged. Thoreau argues that if government is oppressing the peoples right to change the government, that they should stop paying the taxes because they are paying the government to continue to oppress them. He continues, saying if they are attacked they can only be attacked physically, and that their freedom is always with them. In prison they still won't pay taxes, and are left to their “freedom.” The majority of Thoreau’s criticism is thrown at

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Devices Used In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    1995 Words  | 8 Pages

    Thoreau gives examples of slavery practice and the Mexican-American war to establish his point further. He asserts that the government itself becomes an obstacle between achieving its purpose, the purpose for which it was created. However, Thoreau makes it clear that he is against abolishing the government,

    Read More

  • The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail

    209 Words  | 1 Pages

    When comparing Civil Disobedience and The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, it is clear that Thoreau’s ideas and thoughts were revolutionary at the time in which he lived. Both Civil Disobedience and The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail are clear compositions of his views, however, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail more effectively connects people to his ideas. Both Civil Disobedience and The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail assert Thoreau’s views on the freeing aspects of jail as well as his thoughts on the rest of America. While in Civil Disobedience Thoreau discusses the “wall of stone between [him] and [his] townsmen” and the even “more difficult [wall the townsmen must] to climb or break through, before they could get to be as free as [he] was”(Thoreau

    Read More

  • Thoreau's Use Of Rhetorical Devices In Civil Disobedience

    953 Words  | 4 Pages

    (389) Immediately, any American citizen is directly touched by this statement, and it gives a sense of truth and realization. Thoreau is aiming to challenge the status quo; the understanding that the government is responsible for any success of the country. For several people, he actually seemed to draw a sense of anger and resentment toward the government, which was exactly his goal. Emotional appeal is a major factor in making Civil Disobedience a timeless literary

    Read More

  • The Hunger Games Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    653 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thoreau believes that government should be lenient with their people and work with them for their common good, Gale actions as an individual shows that he agrees. In “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau explains his belief that the government should be tolerant. He explains, “[He] heartily accepts the motto, ‘That government is best which governs least’

    Read More

  • Ethos In The Works Of Thoreau And The King

    486 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thoreau starts his essay by condemning his fellow countrymen’s actions, or rather, inaction. They and Thoreau share similar moral beliefs, but they refuse to take any action towards them. “Must the citizen ever for a moment, or

    Read More

  • Birmingham Jail Pdf

    907 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Grapes Of Wrath And Civil Disobedience

    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

  • Ethos In Letter From Birmingham Jail

    815 Words  | 4 Pages

    Leading up to civil disobedience in Birmingham, as the last option, King states how he uses self-purification to assure every move he made was right. Like King, Thoreau’s definition of a just law is moral, and an unjust law affects one’s conscience. He believes, “If the injustice . . . is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law. Similarly to King, Thoreau believes if the government ever becomes corrupt, it is the people’s duty to correct the wrong.

    Read More

  • Letter From Birmingham Jail Analysis

    1587 Words  | 7 Pages

    Thoreau believes “that government is best which governs least” and “that government is best which governs not at all” (Thoreau 1). Thoreau has exceptionally low expectations toward the government, he does not believe in the government because “they have persuaded the majority to alter them” ( Thoreau 1).Just like the armies also viewed as machines are programmed to function, the government has also managed to have their citizens alter them. Thoreau criticizes they way the government manages their issues because the government's remedy to issues is worst than the evil, they claim to take care of an issue but in reality they make it worst which expands to the issue that government is not capable of being equitable because it is filled with unjust individual who are brainwashed to do the task they are programmed to do. Individuals usually pursue the crowd, but Thoreau desires that one individual will wrangle to bring change to society.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Grapes Of Wrath And Civil Disobedience

    882 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Civil Disobedience By Thoreau

    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

  • How Does Henry David Thoreau Use Rhetorical Devices

    1458 Words  | 6 Pages

    Furthermore, all actions carried out under persuasion, coercion, and prohibition neither deserve credit nor blame. He points to the “standing army, and the militia, jailers, constables and [law officers]” who follow orders blindly. Thoreau’s previous use of pathos should make the reader predisposed to see these people as less human. Thoreau says these ‘good citizens’ cannot be culpable because they renounced the free will that makes them men.

    Read More

  • Thoreau And Civil Disobedience

    1198 Words  | 5 Pages

    It speaks to every individual to look into himself and to think about his deeds as well as about the things he let happened. It is well over a century ago when Thoreau wrote this and many things have changed. On one hand, the question is, if it would be still possible to make a similar stand as Thoreau did. In our time we found a different way to show our revolt. We usually make some small stance to ease up on our conscience, but is it enough just to grab a banner and go into the streets calling out loud?

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Civil Disobedience

    673 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the second paragraph, Thoreau asks, "This American government- what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity?" This passage identifies the disparity between the purpose of the "American government" and its endeavor not to become "impaired" throughout history. Thoreau later addresses the issue of majority rule by raising a series of rhetorical questions with the objective of underlining the contrast between the professed motives of the government and its practices. Thoreau identifies that the conscience, which ought to guide the "majorities" does not articulate itself in legislation. Thus, majority rule does not succeed in guaranteeing justice because of the mediation of the legislative apparatus.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Henry David Thoreau's Resistance To Civil Government

    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

More about Thoreau's Distrust Of Government Summary

Open Document