Civil Disobedience Summary
Summary
The Nature and Motto of Government: Thoreau begins his essay with a famous statement: “That government is best which governs least.” In other words, the best government is the one that interferes the least. He says that government is merely an “expedient,” meaning a kind of instrument or mechanism. But this mechanism often becomes unjust and harmful. Instead of protecting people’s freedom,...
Expand Civil Disobedience Summary
Civil Disobedience Theme
Themes:
Supremacy of Conscience and Morality: The central theme of Thoreau’s essay is that human conscience and morality stand above all laws and governments. He argues that a person’s first duty is obedience to truth and justice, not to the orders of the state. If a law supports injustice, obeying it becomes a sin. According to Thoreau, moral conscience is the true guide of human life. He declar...
Expand Civil Disobedience Theme
Notes (15)
- Why does Thoreau think that conscience rather than the majority should govern the state?
- Thoreau's prose style with reference to the essay Civil Disobedience
- Do you think Thoreau’s concept of civil disobedience can exist harmoniously with a democratic government?
- What does Thoreau mean by the statement, “That government is best which governs not at all?”
- What does Thoreau comment about Legislators?
- Give a description of Thoreau's roommate in the prison cell
- when should the people of a country rebel against its government?
- Peaceful Resistance In Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience
- Why does Thoreau say that the rich are less likely to practice civil disobedience?
- How does Thoreau weigh his imprisonment?
- What does Thoreau suggest about the relationship between the government and the individual in his essay “Civil Disobedience?”
- “All voting is a sort of gaming” -Explain
- Show Thoreau’s opinion about paying taxes.
- Explain Thoreau’s attitude towards unjust laws in a democratic state.
- Brief Questions Civil Disobedience