Resistance to Civil Government by Henry David Thoreau
Study Questions
Part 1: The nature of government and of the individual
1. What distinction does Thoreau make between the US Government and the American people?
2. With what does Thoreau say the individual should serve the state?
3. What does Thoreau mean by the rule of expediency? What does this indicate about his views on the
majority rules government versus the individual’s conscience?
4. What is Thoreau’s attitude toward voting? What does he advocate instead?
5. What is a “man” (a person) according to Thoreau? What, according to him, is the nature of civil
government?
Part 2: Combating Injustice
1. What options does Thoreau present the individual when confronted with unjust laws? Which of these
options does he say is most preferable?
2. What does Thoreau mean by a “majority of one”?
3. What does Thoreau say would be the abolition of slavery in America? What does he mean by this?
4. What does Thoreau say about prison? Who belongs there? Why? How does Thoreau end up spending a
night in prison?
5. What does Thoreau say about the relationship between money and virtue?
Part 3: Thoreau’s Prison experience
1. How does Thoreau see his village from within the prison? How does he see his village once he is out of
prison?
2. What kind of statement is Thoreau making by saying he prizes allegiance over money?
3. What does Thoreau mean when he says he wants to conform to laws? What would it take to get him to
conform?
4. Do you agree with Thoreau that you have to be an outsider to see something (such as a system of
government) objectively? Why or why not?
5. What is Thoreau’s final opinion/analysis of the government of his time?