Hi i need a lot of help with this question.
1. Relate a specific line(s) in Henry David Thoreau's civil disobedience essay to a current situation happening either in the US or internationaly(that involves the US); and based on your understanding of his philosophy, speculate on his opinion or viewpoint of this current event. Back up your prediction with specific examples fro his life or writing.
You could choose the line about the best government being one that governs least (or not at all). Think about the current money the government has given banks and the car companies.
Or -- how about this one --
"A common and natural result of an undue respect for the law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel, captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all, marching in admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills, ay, against their common sense and consciences, . . ."
for the second quote I would be using the Iraq war right but aren't most of the soldiers going to war going on their own free will.
This is a good section, too:
"The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and ed before the people can act through it. Witness the present Mexican war,(2) the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool; for, in the outset, the people would not have consented to this measure."
(Substitute almost anything currently happening for the words "Mexican War.")
Thoreau's writing is loaded with various examples you can use. You should have no trouble deciding.
i am sorry but what does the quote really mean
To tackle this question, you will need to analyze Henry David Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience" and apply it to a current situation. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you answer the question:
1. Read Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" essay: Thoroughly analyze the essay to understand Thoreau's philosophy and viewpoints. Pay close attention to specific lines or passages that demonstrate his thoughts on civil disobedience and the role of the individual in society.
2. Research a current situation: Look for a specific event or issue happening either in the United States or internationally that involves the United States. It could be a political movement, a social issue, or anything that relates to civil disobedience or resistance against authority.
3. Identify a specific line in Thoreau's essay: Select a line or passage that you believe directly relates to the current situation you chose. Look for similarities or connections between Thoreau's ideas and the present-day scenario.
4. Extract Thoreau's opinion: Based on your understanding of Thoreau's philosophy, speculate on his opinion or viewpoint of the current event you selected. Remember to back up your prediction with specific examples from Thoreau's life or writing.
5. Provide evidence: To support your prediction about Thoreau's opinion, cite specific examples from Thoreau's life or writing that demonstrate his views on civil disobedience or similar topics. You can reference other essays or letters he wrote.
Here is an example to illustrate the process:
1. Reading Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience," you might find a line like:
"I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward."
2. Researching a current situation, you might choose the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, which centers around protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
3. Connecting the two, you could argue that Thoreau's quote emphasizes the importance of individual autonomy and standing up for one's beliefs against oppressive authority. The Black Lives Matter movement can be seen as a contemporary expression of this sentiment, with activists striving to assert their humanity and demand justice within the system.
4. Speculate on Thoreau's opinion: Based on his philosophy of civil disobedience and individual conscience, Thoreau might have shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement and its nonviolent resistance to injustice. His emphasis on personal agency and the idea of being a "man first" suggests a sympathy for those fighting against oppressive structures.
5. Support your prediction with evidence: Thoreau himself was an abolitionist and expressed strong anti-slavery sentiments in his writing. In his essay "Slavery in Massachusetts," he denounced the injustice of slavery and supported the freedom of individuals. These writings can be used as evidence to suggest that Thoreau would have likely empathized with today's movement fighting against racial injustice.
Remember, this is just an example, and your own answer will depend on your interpretation of Thoreau's essay and the current situation you choose. Be sure to provide specific evidence from Thoreau's writings to strengthen your argument.