Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience

Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and

All governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections, which have been brought

Against, a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may

Also at last be brought against a standing government. The standing army is only an arm

Of the standing government. The government itself, which is only the mode, which the

People have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted

Before the people can act through it.

Thoreau uses logic in providing example 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. It has not thee vitality and force of a single

Living man, for a single man can bend it to his will.

Thoreau uses an emotional appeal in citing what the government does not do.

Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed on, even impose on

Themselves, for their own advantage. It is excellent, we must all allow, yet this

Government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it

Got Out of its way. It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the west. It does

Not Educate. He also uses emotional appeal again I have paid no poll tax for six years. I

Was Put into a jail once on this account, for one night, and as I stood considering the

Walls have Solid stone, two or three feet thick, the door of wood and iron, a foot thick,

And the iron Grating which strained the light, I could not help being struck with the

Foolishness of that Institution, which treated me as if I were mere flesh and blood and

Bones, to be locked up.

Thoreau include anecdote about the boys and the dog. The night in prison was

Novel and interesting enough. The prisoners in their shirtsleeves were enjoying a chat

And the evening air in the doorway, when I entered. But the jailer said. Come boys, it is

Time to lock up, and so they dispersed, and I heard the sound of they’re steps returning

Into the hollow apartment. The jailer, as a first-rate fellow and clever man, introduced

My roommate to me. When the door was locked, he showed me where to hang my hat,

And how he managed matter there.

Thoreau compare his night in jail in the morning, our breakfasts were put

Through the hole in the doors, in small oblong square tin pans, mad to fit, and holding a

Pint of chocolate, with brown bread, and an iron spoon. When he came up of prison for

Someone interfered, and paid the tax I did not perceive that great changes had taken

Place on the common, such as he observed who went in a youth, and merged a

Tottering and gray-headed man; and yet a change had to my eyes come over the scene

The town, and state, and country greater than any that mere time could affect.

Thoreau criticize his neighbors so harshly this may be to judge my neighbors

Harshly; for I believe that most of them are not aware that they have such an institution

As the jail in their village. It was formerly the custom in our village, when a poor debtor

Came out of jail, for his acquaintances to salute him, looking through their fingers,

Which were crossed to represent the grating of a jail window.