Phillip Vilensky Professor Sadeghipour ENG 1B 19 February 2016 Rhetorical Devices in Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” There have been many individuals in mankind's long history that have been characterized by unusual thought and foresight, and whose observations and theories could only be appreciated many decades, even centuries, later. But one of the individuals whose beliefs about ethics, philosophy, and politics must have struck his contemporaries as very odd, even bordering on insane was the great American author, poet, and philosopher Henry David Thoreau, who lived in 19th century Massachusetts. In the era of slavery, westward expansion, and imperialism, Thoreau espoused abolitionism, civil disobedience, conscientious objection, direct …show more content…
He instills imagery that elicits feelings that may not have already resided in the reader. Quite disturbing by 1840’s standards, his vivid and descriptive language could be from 20th century modernism: “The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies…they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones” By subjecting the audience to the forms of discomfort associated with dehumanization, they may feel like an outside observer of their own thoughts or body, and will realize what is really in control over their thoughts and actions. Readers become be more open to recognize that perhaps not all their decisions are freely willed, especially those related to civil responsibility. The author uses this as an opportunity to delve deeper into the possibilities of free will under nationalism. Thoreau makes the claim that virtuous actions are only made through free choice. 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. …show more content…
Thoreau hopes that if he can sound earnest and intelligent, then the reader can view nationalism in an obsolete sense. Surprisingly, most of the logical conclusions within Civil Disobedience do not come from weighing facts and statistics, as what many modern academic papers rely on. Thoreau lived in a time when there was little mathematical discipline used for analysis. True statistics only emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because of the works of Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, and Ronald Fisher (Young). Henry David Thoreau finds ways to appeal to reason based on other forms of logic known to him, such as consistency and critical thinking. Thoreau is consistent when he identifies how governments overrule the conscience of the people, and in all cases suggests that the people should not support its injustices. Whether it is the State of Massachusetts’ “interest… in commerce and agriculture [over] humanity” or the “sanction which the Constitution gives to slavery,” Thoreau always urges one to fight for justice and never give injustice monetary or practical support (Thoreau 3, 6). Furthermore, Thoreau approaches every topic with a healthy amount of distrust of human sincerity and integrity. “No man with a genius for legislation has appeared in America,” and, “I think th[ese] people mean well; they are only ignorant” are examples of his approach (Thoreau 12, 10). The
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
The Grapes of Wrath vs Civil Disobedience In the novel The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and the essay On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry Thoreau, both authors explore the individual’s role in society, as well as the individual’s rights. One of the main similarities between Thoreau’s essay and Chapter 17 of Steinbeck’s novel, is the idea that the government should have minimal involvement in the lives of the people. Although Thoreau takes a more aggressive stance on challenging the government, Steinbeck’s ideas of self-governing do resonate with Thoreau’s. However, the authors do contradict each other in regards to how the people should go against the government. Both authors’ work are similar in that they highlight the ideality
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
Thoreau uses extended metaphors to convey his frustration and disapproval towards the government by comparing man and the government to thoughtless machines. He states that “the mass of men serve the states thus, not as men, but as machines….(Thoreau, 941)” He uses metaphors similar to this one to better get across the loss of individuality of the people and drastic change into uniform and thoughtless machines without a moral compass, for when people become machine-like they act unjust and without acknowledgment of the consequences their actions can have, such as soldiers participating in war (mentioned in paragraph two). This idea of a lack of human individuality and integrity goes against Thoreau’s views on the world at large. Thoreau again
With the rise of social media it is common for people to explain their beliefs on the internet rather than taking action. Thoreau was very passionate about his right to fight for what he believed in. He thought that for the country to operate efficiently there always needs to be an irritation in the system. In “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau writes, “All machines have their friction; and possibly this does enough good to counterbalance the evil (Thoreau, 4).” Basically Thoreau believes that our country works best with civil disobedience because it provides a “friction” in the system that can outweigh the unjust laws.
After being refusing to pay his poll taxes for 6 years, Thoreau was thrown into jail for a night. It was here he decided to take the time to write Civil Disobedience. While in jail, given the fact that he, being behind an iron and wooden door and surrounded by 3 feet thick stone walls, did not feel restricted in any form or manner (29). He believed that his punishment was only affected him physically and, that it would never change a man’s thinking. He turned a dire situation into something more favorable.
To understand Henry David Thoreau’s role in civil disobedience one must first have knowledge of his personal life and early years. He was born in 1817 (Witherell). He lived and grew up almost
Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher, poet, and a very outspoken person about society. He discusses his opinions on how people should live in his essay “Where I Lived and What I Lived For.” Thoreau's philosophy of simplicity and individualism and self-sufficiency poses many dangers for communities as a whole. Although there are many setbacks, his philosophy is, however, still viable today. Thoreau strongly advocates self-sufficiency and individualism in this essay.
In the passage from "Civil Disobedience," the author, Thoreau, utilizes rhetorical devices to support his theme. Such devices include tone and diction. The theme expressed in the text is that the government is in need of change and acceptance, not a replacement. The author conveys a serious and professional tone throughout the passage. This helps add more to the seriousness of the subject and theme created which is the government needs change and acceptance, not a replacement.
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
Henry David Thoreau’s book “Civil Disobedience” (1847) and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (1963) both are written to expose unjust laws in the United States while having considerable differences in their tone. Thoreau and King both challenge the common majority to resist injustice and they both went to jail to support their cause. Although, Thoreau’s book has a negative tone that is simply angry and contains negative allusions, King’s tone is very “disappointed” for the fact that his allusions insue a greater emotional effect on the reader. King and Thoreau’s arguments share many similar points regarding unjust laws. Thoreau is expressing his grievances in regards to the U.S - Mexican war and its direct perpetuation
Another compelling argument in "Civil Disobedience" is when Thoreau uses logos as a tool to compare his idea to an acclaimed scholar of the time, Paley. Instead of avoiding Paley 's popular argument altogether, he takes advantage of his argument and flips it to support his point. Not only does he provide sound reasoning for his opposing views, but he provides an example for which most people can relate: "If I have unjustly wrested a plank from a drowning man, I must restore it to him though I drown myself. This, according to Paley, would be inconvenient" (Thoreau). The simplicity of Thoreau 's words here serve to his advantage, as those with less political experience can connect with this straightforward, concise
He also explains that we, as American citizens, not only have the right, but the duty to rebel against the government. However, because of the enslavement of about one-sixth of the population and with the invasion of Mexico, he speaks about not letting it continue any longer and to stop the unjust of it all. Thoreau furthermore exclaims in his essays that the Americans citizens should have followed what power they thought was right, like their conscience, instead of the wrong of the government. Thoreau ultimately sent the message that if following what was right and following your heart really believes in like the right of doing right; then let it be and so live life in spite of what one thinks.
The individual's relationship to the state is a concept often entertained abstractly; at variance with this is Civil Disobedience, which analyzes Thoreau's first direct experience with state power in his brief 1846 imprisonment. Thoreau metaphorically detailed his search for virtue in the quote, "The finest qualities of our nature, like the bloom on fruits, can be preserved only by the most delicate handling. Yet we do not treat ourselves nor one another thus tenderly." (Thoreau 8) In Civil Disobedience Thoreau as earnest seeker and flawed captive of the conscience concertedly attempts to correct this shortcoming within the context of slavery and the Mexican-American War.
Thoreau 's views on the government by comparing the government to a machine. He states, ”When the machine was producing injustice, it was the duty of conscientious citizens to be ‘a counter friction’ (i.e., a resistance) "to stop the machine.” The two major issues being debated in the United States during his life was slavery and the Mexican-American War in which were major reasons he wrote his essays. In the mid to late 1840’s slavery has been indoctrinated into American society in which caused rifts between Americans.