From
Civil disobedience
Henry David Thoreau
Background The Mexican War was a conflict between Mexico and
the United States that took place from 1846 to 1848. The war was caused
by a dispute over the boundary between Texas and Mexico, as well as by
Mexico’s refusal to discuss selling California and New Mexico to the United
States. Believing that President Polk had intentionally provoked the conflict
before gaining congressional approval, Thoreau and many other Americans
strongly objected to the war. In protest, Thoreau refused to pay his taxes
and was forced to spend a night in jail. After that experience, Thoreau
wrote “Civil Disobedience,” urging people to resist governmental policies
with which they disagree.
I
Vocabulary
expedient
(ek spè« dè ßnt) n. resource
Spiral Review
Rhetorical
Techniques What
rhetorical technique
does Thoreau use
in the sentence
beginning “This
American government…”? Explain.
heartily accept the motto, “That government is best which governs least”;1 and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly
and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which
also I believe: “That government is best which governs not at all”;
and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have. 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. Witness the present Mexican
war, 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.
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 the vitality
and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his
will. It is a sort of wooden gun to the people themselves; and, if ever
1.“That . . . least” the motto of the United States Magazine and Democratic Review, a
literary-political journal.
388 A Growing Nation (1800–1870)
they should use it in earnest as a real one against each other, it will
surely split. But it is not the less necessary for this; for the people
must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to
satisfy that idea of government which they have. 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. The character
inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government
had not sometimes got in its way. For government is an expedient by
which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as
has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let
alone by it. Trade and commerce, if they were not made of India rubber,2 would never manage to bounce over the obstacles which legislators are continually putting in their way; and, if one were to judge
these men wholly by the effects of their actions, and not partly by
their intentions, they would deserve to be classed and punished with
those mischievous persons who put obstructions on the railroads.
But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call
themselves no government men, I ask for, not at once no government,
but at once a better government. Let every man make known what
kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one
step toward obtaining it. . . .
Vocabulary
alacrity (ß lak« rß tè) n.
speed
2. India rubber a form of crude rubber.
Critical Reading
1. Key Ideas and Details (a) How does Thoreau define the
best possible kind of government? (b) Draw Conclusions:
According to Thoreau, when will Americans get the best
possible kind of government?
2.Key Ideas and Details (a) Summarize: What is Thoreau
asking his readers to do? (b) Evaluate: Does Thoreau present
a convincing argument for acting on one’s principles?
3.Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (a) Criticize: What
arguments might you use to counter Thoreau’s objections to the
idea of a standing government? (b) Support: What examples
might support an argument that government benefits individuals?
4.Integration of Ideas and Knowledge Do you find it surprising
that the goals Thoreau tried to achieve have influenced generations of people around the world? Explain. In your response, use
at least two of these Essential Question words: self-reliance, vision,
freedom, principle. [Connecting to the Essential Question:
How does literature shape or reflect society?]
from Civil Disobedience 389
COMMON CORE • EXTENDED STUDY: TRANSCENDENTALISM
Close Reading Activities
from Walden •
from Civil Disobedience
Literary Analysis
1.Craft and Structure Explain how the paragraph on simplicity in
Walden demonstrates the following elements of Thoreau’s style:
(a) a conversational tone, or attitude; (b) a tendency to use a series
of figurative expressions, including metaphor and analogy,
to develop a key idea.
2.Key Ideas and Details (a) What is the central idea Thoreau develops
in the paragraph on simplicity? Summarize it in one sentence. (b) Note
another section in Walden where Thoreau repeats the idea for emphasis.
3.Craft and Structure Thoreau often starts a paragraph with specific
examples. He then applies them to a larger truth. (a) Identify one such
paragraph. (b) Do you think this approach is effective? Explain.
4.Craft and Structure Choose two metaphors and one analogy from
these essays. Use a chart like the one shown to examine the meanings
of each one.
Metaphor/Analogy
Things Compared
Meaning
I wanted to live deep
and suck out all the
marrow of life
5.Craft and Structure In “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau
describes government as a “wooden gun.” In Walden, he
describes civilized life as a “chopping sea.” (a) Explain the
meaning of each metaphor. (b) Then, explain how the
metaphors help Thoreau develop the logic of his ideas.
6.Craft and Structure (a) In which essay does Thoreau
spend more time translating abstract ideas into concrete
metaphors and analogies? (b) How does this choice reflect
the purpose of the essay and the nature of his topic?
7. Analyze Visual Information Explain the humor in
the cartoon at right.
8.Integration of Knowledge and Ideas Thoreau
expresses his explicit philosophical assumption
that people should simplify their lives. (a) What support for this belief does he provide? (b) How might
someone argue against this idea?
9.Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (a) What evidence does Thoreau use to support his point that “It
makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail”? (b) What implicit
philosophical assumption does this statement suggest? (c) Do you agree? Explain.
390 A Growing Nation (1800–1870)
Common Core
State Standards
Writing
1. Write arguments to
support claims in an
analysis of substantive
topics or texts, using
valid reasoning. (p. 391)
Language
4.b. Identify and correctly
use patterns of word
changes that indicate
different meanings.
(p. 391)
5. Demonstrate
understanding of
figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances
in word meanings. (p. 391)
▼ Text in Bubble: “Dear
Ralph, Talk about boring!!
Nothing to do but take
stupid walks in the dreary
woods! You'd hate it!! Best
regards, Henry” Caption: By
Strategic Use of Postcards,
Thoreau Manages to Keep
Walden Pond Unspoiled.
© The New Yo
rker Collection
1988 J.B. Hand
cartoonbank.co
elsman from
m.  All Rights
Reserved.