Critical Analysis Of Henry David Thoreaus Civil Disobedience

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) was an introspective who desired only a simple life and wandered the woods of Concord, Massachusetts journaling. How, then, did he influence such political icons as Mohandas Gandhi, Leo Tolstoy, and Martin Luther King Jr.? The answer lies in â€Å"Civil Disobedience† (1849). â€Å"Civil Disobedience† is an analysis of the individual’s relationship to the state and focuses mainly on why men obey laws even when they violate their own conscience. It is not an essay of abstract theory, but instead Thoreau’s extremely personal response to being imprisoned for breaking the law. Due to his detest of slavery and the tax revenues that supported of it Thoreau decided to become a tax rebel and thus was punished by the state.†¦show more content†¦A man should be allowed to be the man he imagines himself to be. Government should not be allowed intrude on our identities. This goes against the very foundations of this coun try. How anyone can disagree with this sentiment is beyond reason. Life is for living. Consider, each of us are a produced from greatly variying environments and thus have very different views, opinions, and moral convictions. No one and no thing should hinder us from appeasing our conscience by doing what naturally feels good and just. All things considered, to impede this pursuit of just behavior is to obstruct the betterment of humanity and is a despicable implementation of power. As sentient beings, we all feel as if we must be here for a reason and unearthing this purpose, which can be a life-long endeavor, is paramount to living an enjoyable and fulfilling life. By restricting man’s ability to follow his heart and forcing him to betray his soul’s desires the government is denying him the ability to grow, flourish, and live as the dynamic beings we are created to be. Our conscience is our driving force, it leads us throughout our lives and takes us places we may have thought we would never go. Ergo, constricting this force and twisting it to benefit the state is detrimental to the integrity of our journeys as individual beings. As Thoreau so thoughtfully put it: ’ The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.’ WeShow MoreRelatedEssay about Henry David Thoreaus Enlightenment and Ideas 1355 Words   |  6 Pages Civil Disobedience is one of Henry David Thoreaus most famous essays. O ne of the major problems most critics see with this essay deals with Thoreaus seemingly contradictory statements about society from the beginning to the end. Barry Wood, a well-known critical writer, attributes this change in beliefs to the enlightenment of Thoreau in jail. 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