Saturday, 19 January 2013

Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience"

A) Analyze essay: Why did Thoreau spend a night in jail? Do you agree with his reason for doing so? why or why not?

-Thoreau spent a night in Jail because he refused to pay a poll tax.Thoreau didn't like the idea of the government supporting slavery and its war against Mexico. I agree with Thoreau rebelling against the government because I believe that slavery and war should not be encouraged or supported.





B)Interpret Paradox:A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself but may actually suggest an important truth. Explain what Thoreau meant by this statement that seems to contradict itself: “That government is best that governs not at all.”


-He means that the government is best when it doesn't take control of the people's lives. The people should be able to make their own decisions/choices without the government interfering.






Literary device


Term: Paradox=a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.


Example= That government is best that governs not at all.


Function: Thoreau's statement, "That government is best that governs not at all" made me believe that every time the government changes something, it's always profitable for themselves and not for the people.

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