Civil Disobedience by Thoreau

A detailed Summary of Civil Disobedience by Thoreau

In Thoreau's essay, "Civil Disobedience", he exhorts the need to prioritize social consciousness over the unquestioning allegiance to government policy. In essence, "Civil Disobedience" could arguably be touted as the quintessential rallying cry for the pioneers of a new social conscious movement.

Thoreau's essay argues that a government proves itself of little value if it obtains its power to govern from the majority of the masses solely on the basis that they are the strongest group. He contends that a citizen's first obligation is to cling to his or her own belief of what is right and not blindly follow the law dictated by the majority. In addition, Thoreau also believes that when a government is unjust, people should detachment themselves from its control and make it their civic-minded duty to avoid membership in any such unjust institution. Thoreau further laments that United States clearly fits his criteria for an unjust government, given its support of slavery and its practice of military aggression.

Thoreau continues his essay by revealing his skepticism on whether governmental reform by itself has any chance of making a difference and argues that voting and petitioning for change rarely achie

Further examination of the piece brings notice of its tone. Thoreau's writing displays a tone of contempt that can easily be misunderstood as an avocation for complete anarchy, but closer scrutiny of this work reveals an author whose desire is for anything but an abolishment of government. In truth, Thoreau's appeal is for the implementation of a better government as evident in the beginning of the essay, where he writes, "But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those that consider themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government." (127)pg. Thoreau later provides rationale for his displeasure with the current government by proclaiming that governments become corrupt and lack the integrity of individual men when he writes, " This American government ---- what is it but tradition, a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity but each instant losing some of it's integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will." (127)pg. It is important to note that although Thoreau believes in the fundamental goodness of man as a whole, he also sees fit to state that men who are in the position of power within these governments are the least likely to observe the need for change or effect any changes at all. With this in mind, it is made clear to the reader that Thoreau's agitation is not just directed at the oppressors, but he also holds accountable those who benefit from its oppression, regardless of whether they had anything to do with creating the injustice. More than the ills inherent in government, Thoreau seems to hold an equally deep contempt for the lack of public awareness and feels it his responsibility as a free citizen to express his discontent with the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Civil Disobedience, David Thoreau, According Thoreau, United Thoreau's, civil disobedience, slavery thoreau, Disobedience Thoreau's, thoreau believes, main purpose essay, nonviolent protest, american government, main purpose, purpose essay, social consciousness, thoreau's essay,

Approximate Word count = 1220
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous