Why does Thoreau oppose the majority as a means of determining action?
Identify the Transcendental Beliefs. (You may use an answer more than once.)
A. A preference to explain the individual.
B. All knowledge begins with self-knowledge.
C. An egotistical existence that focuses on the desire to withdraw and remain unique and separate.
D. Emphasis is on self-reliance to do what is moral and just.
E. Know and become one with the world by placing emphasis on the here and now.
F. Nature is full of symbolic signs.
- “It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished…” (2)
- “A very few—as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men—serve the state with their consciences also, and so necessarily resist it for the most part…” (5)
- “…you take effectual steps at once to obtain the full amount, and see to it that you are never cheated again. Action form principle, the perception and performance of right, changes things and relations; it is essentially revolutionary, and does not consist wholly with anything which was.”(8)
Identify the literary devices. (You may use more than one answer.)
A. Hyperbole
B. Chiasmus
C. Metaphor
D. Irony
E. Antithesis
- “That government is best which governs not at all” (1)
- “Do not they stand in same relation to the State that the State does to the Union?” (7)
- “If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go; perchance it will wear smooth—certainly the machine will wear out.” (10)
Argumentation
A. Claim
B. Support
C. Counter-argument
D. Refutation
- “Some are petitioning the State to dissolve the Union, to disregard the requisitions of the President.” (7)
- “Why do they not dissolve it themselves—the union between themselves and the State—and refuse to pay their quota into its treasury?”(7)
- “I know this well, that if one thousand, if one hundred, if ten men whom I could name—if ten honest men only—ay, if one HONEST man, in this State of Massachusetts, ceasing to hold slaves, were actually to withdraw from this co-partnership, and be locked up in the county jail therefore, it would be the abolition of slavery in America.” (11)
How does Thoreau’s word choice help make his case to the audience?
How does Thoreau’s sentence structure help make his case to the audience?
Describe the emotional response Thoreau is trying to elicit [cause] in his audience?
Compare Thoreau’s philosophical beliefs to Emerson.
With which statement would you expect Transcendentalists to agree?
□ There is no fundamental reality beyond the physical world
□ Human beings have less potential when they act independently
□ There is a spiritual relationship between humanity and nature
□ People should strive so that their natural souls do not become part of an oversoul
Based on this piece, what can you infer about Thoreau’s political philosophy?
□ He relies on government leaders for moral guidance
□ He feels it is America’s destiny to spread to the Pacific Ocean
□ He stresses that we must all work together to accomplish great deeds
□ He believes that people are politically responsible for themselves
Does Thoreau feel that every soldier is a clump of dirt or a horse or dog in every military circumstance? Justify your belief.
How does this piece reflect the ideas of Transcendentalism?
□ It stresses the individual’s ability to judge the actions of government.
□ It proposes looking at nature as a way to govern harmoniously.
□ It implies that democratic governments, too, have an oversoul and are more spiritually attuned to people’s needs than any one individual can ever be.
□ It stresses that warfare is sometimes the only means by which oppression can be cast off and society changed.
Writers vary sentence lengths primarily to
□ Increase the pleasure they take in writing
□ Sustain reader interest
□ Cut down on time spent in keyboarding
□ Maintain a steady, monotonous rhythm
What does Thoreau mean when he refers to a “wooden gun”? Explain his reference in the context of his larger opinion about the use of government
What is Thoreau’s expectation of what a “citizen” such as he can reasonably ask of the government? What is his expectation of other citizens? Provide textual support.
How would you describe the tone of the essay? What persuasive words or phrases does he use?
What does Thoreau mean by the “necessary friction of the machine of government”?
Why did Thoreau go to prison? Why is it important that it is included in this text to begin with? How does it help his argument?
What word, phrase or line do we need to understand to realize the importance of Thoreau’s work?
Who is ultimately more important the individual, the citizens as a whole, or the government?
What role should we (as a citizen) play in society? What are the limits the government should follow in intruding in our daily lives?
Can the government restrict your beliefs? Are there beliefs or actions that the government should try to alter?
Should we be forced to pay taxes for other people’s needs?
Can we reach the government that Thoreau advocates?
Are we a democracy in Thoreau’s eyes? In your eyes? In the textbook definition of democracy?
What areas of our government today would Thoreau attack? Defend?
Are there leaders today that Thoreau would admire? Detest?
Under what circumstances should conscience outweigh the law?
What should the consequences be for someone who breaks the law?
Is there ever a valid reason to break a law?
Can you see yourself breaking a law for a greater cause? Explain.
In discussing the role of the individual, which quote best outlines your philosophy?
Thoreau:
“If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go…perchance it will wear smooth-certainly the machine will wear out…If it is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say break the law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine.”
Socrates:
“An individual must do what his city or country demands of him or he must change their view of what is just.”
Kennedy:
“Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”
What problems or limitations do you see with the other views?
What should be the role between the individual and the government?
What are some situations today where we have examples of people who are working for changes in the name of justice and fairness?
To what extent should they go to accomplish their goal?
Do you applaud or criticize citizens who work for change?
What advice would Thoreau give them?
If Thoreau were alive today how would he judge America?