...parts of a society that may or may not be just. He claims that citizens have the power to create a better government, but they are afraid to take a stand and make changes without the support of the majority. An example of this is Gandhi’s Salt March against the British, who put a tax on their staple ingredient, salt. This is how Gandhi’s vigorous salt march began. Gandhi’s Salt March relates to Thoreau's idea in “Civil Disobedience,” because it shows how Gandhi refused to obey the British law and attempted to make his opinion known. Gandhi’s Salt March emphasizes Thoreau’s idea on how important it is for individuals to come together as a society and voice their opinions to the government on what they believe is right. The Salt March was a reaction to the British tax on salt. Mahatma Gandhi, the British, and some protesters were involved. The British had previously colonized India and therefore were trying to regulate their economy. The Salt March took place in India on March 12, 1930, due to the unreasonable tax on salt, which Gandhi didn’t find fair. He then started a...
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...Ivyanne London Dr. Bryan English 2010 7 December 2012 The Bhagavad- Gita: Influence on Civil Disobedience Advocates Civil disobedience can be described as the nonviolent means of bringing about social change. The Bhagavad- Gita is a philosophical poem that attempts to ask difficult questions of universal issues that deal with the topic of civil disobedience. The messages that are told throughout the poem have had major influences on civil disobedience advocates such as Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King. This work offers explanations that can be applied to dilemmas that can’t be resolved with a simple form of action. According to the Theosophical Society of America, The Bhagavad- Gita, commonly known as the “Gita” has been passed back and forth between America and India through these civil disobedience activists. They each had influences on each other along with the Gita. Some reoccurring themes that may have influenced Thoreau, Gandhi, and King include questions about the right way to live, seeking higher knowledge, and how no action is still a form of action. The version of The Bhagavad- Gita that is told in The Norton Anthology of World Literature, 3rd edition, begins with the moment of crisis in Arjuna’s mind. Arjuna is the middle son of his five brothers who are apart of the Pandavas. He is apart of the warrior caste and is the most skilled and feared archer of his time. They are about to engage in war with their cousins, the Kauravas, because...
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...Lloyd Wyse Melissa Hull EN 209-014 April 18, 2012 Critical Essay: Civil Disobedience Civil disobedience is the active refusal to comply with certain laws or demands of a government, such as paying fines or taxes. Although it is not necessarily on-violent, it has classically been attributed to nonviolent resistance. The etymological origin of the term is from Henry David Thoreau’s essay Resistance to Government, written in 1849, which was eventually renamed to Essay on Civil Disobedience. Since its republication in 1866, Thoreau’s essay has inspired many important activists over the course of history. Its messages have resonated within countless people unsatisfied or disgusted with the law of the land; one of the most prominent lessons it teaches is that an unjust government can only be corrected by the defiance of its people. As long as there is an imperfect government, there will be a need for civil disobedience. Citizens of nations from all over the globe still read and learn from Civil Disobedience because even in modern times a perfect government does not exist. In Civil Disobedience, Thoreau prompts the reader to take direct action against injustice. He argues that the government is a representative of corruption and injustice that, like a machine, fuels the enabling of its wrongdoings through enforcement of law. He states that an individual’s silent compliance with the law is essentially the same as cooperation with injustices that the lawmaker commits. In particular...
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...on the expression of modernism, technology, and academic classicism. Renaissance technological advancements include wire cables supporting the Brooklyn Bridge in the State of New York, along with cultural advancements found in the Prairie School houses, Beaux-Arts Institute of Design in architecture and sculpture. The political heir of American nationalism evolved with the Gilded Age and New Imperialism school of thought. The American Renaissance produced major influential literary works from some of the most brilliant minds in U.S. history, including Ralph Waldo Emerson's the "Representative Man (1850)", Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlett Letter (1850)" and "The House of Seven Gables (1851)," Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," Henry David Thoreau's "Walden (1854)," and Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass (1855)." American Renaissance Literary Masterpieces The American Renaissance, a literary and cultural period circa extending from 1820 to the mid-1860s, gained inspiration from the unresolved issues of the American Revolution. The American Renaissance literary style was coined as "Romanticism," an international philosophical movement that redefined the perceptions of Western cultures, and seldom refers to the preconceived notions of love. Some important authors arising out of this era include: James Fenimore Cooper, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Jacobs, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allen Poe, and Herman Melville. These brilliant scholars herald...
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...The act of not conforming to a system that conforms your own beliefs defines the ideas of civil disobedience. Likewise, the notion of civil disobedience is display in Henry David Thoreau’s “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail”. The two essays express a call to action towards the reality of our honest individual thoughts. The thoughts and actions of Thoreau and King have a great influence in America today and the ideas of civil disobedience are still widely spread. Furthermore, Henry David Thoreau’s ideas of civil disobedience have become a reflection of the American citizens. He discusses the importance of civil disobedience, when it becomes necessary. For instance, “But a government in which the majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it” (Thoreau 941). Similar to a game of chest, a government deciding to become unjust by constructing control over an apparent social division. The government unknowingly then, creates tension among the citizens. Furthermore, “I think we should be men first, and subjects afterward” (Thoreau 941). Individuals are becoming more thorough and coherent before any force...
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...Thoreau’s View of Modern Society Henry David Thoreau’s “Seeing the Light,” explains about his journey into the wilderness. He went into the wilderness to find the truth about human’s existence. Thoreau proceeded on this journey to live with an agglomeration of simplicity. Thoreau chose this lifestyle of simplicity on his own volition, without any outside influence as expressed in “Seeing the Light.” In this excerpt Thoreau discusses the negative impacts of over-working, stresses the advantages of disassociating with the negative aspects society, and enabling ones self to experience a spiritual awakening. He wanted to have his life changed and in this excerpt he reflects and implies his own thoughts to create this change for himself. Thoreau views working in a negative way because he believes that society as a whole is working too often and too fast. Thoreau does not like the “modern gadgets”. He lists the telegraph and the railroad as specific examples. This passage explains that the railroad is a poison to the countrymen’s lives because it changes their slow paced lives into fast paced, hectic lives. As a result, people spend most of their time rushing around everywhere trying to get everything done as quickly as possible but ironically, people are always tardy. Thoreau wants people to stay at home and mind their own business so their lifestyles will not be altered to a faster pace. Thoreau is very conservative and traditional; he does not want anyone changing his...
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...taxes by means of protesting slavery. He addresses his experiences and views on civil disobedience, which were also revisited almost a century later in John Steinbeck’s account of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, The Grapes of Wrath. This novel reflects Thoreau’s ideas about civil disobedience such as, less government involvement is better, people should make their own laws, and they should work together to fight injustice. One of Thoreau’s principle beliefs is that the less government is involved in community affairs, the better. He is in complete agreement with the claim that “government is best which governs least… [or] which governs not at all” (Thoreau...
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...Do You Hear People Sing? — A Brief Analysis of Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience Abstract: Civil disobedience is the valuable spiritual wealth of American spirits. From Henry David Thoreau to Martin Luther King, civil disobedience theory also had developed into a new stage. American people began to commonly accept and practice the civil disobedience theory, which pushed American Civil Rights Movement forward. This essay focuses on the origination of the civil disobedience and briefly introduces its development. Key Words: Civil disobedience Conscience Government 1、 Thoreau’s Imprisonment The Mexican-American war, which started from 1846, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico over the territorial dispute of Texas. Most abolitionists and transcendentalists were against this war, because they thought that this war was an act of a bullying government anxious to grab land from a weaker nation. Some even thought this war was a conspiracy of the southern slaveholders. Then Texas admitted slavery, while Mexico forbade slavery. They regarded this war as the expansion of slavery, which could strengthen the influence of the south in federation. Therefore the abolitionists and transcendentalists did their best to resist this war. Among them, Henry David Thoreau was a famous representative. Thoreau did not agree this aggressive war. To resist, he refused to pay the Massachusetts poll tax, which was a “per head” tax imposed on...
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...Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. It stresses our natural rights as written in the Consititution. By doing so, we are practicing the rights to protect, assemble peaceably, and oppose laws, as stated in the First Amendment. While to some, civil disobedience may seem as an idea that destroys a society, to others (including myself) is just another way to bring about awareness and change to a society. In Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail", civil disobedience is shown throughout King's actions. King's peaceful protest movements showed resistance to several negative impacts of injustice. In the essay, King states that although Alabama clergymen were criticizing his actions, his argument was...
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...If someone was to offer you one billion dollars right now, what would you do with it? Would you buy every last pair of shoes known to man? Buy a private jet to take you where you want to go, or would you invest all of it and continue to live an inordinate lifestyle? With industrial and technological advances emerging, Henry David Thoreau sought a meaningful life not defined by the artificial things that society constantly advertised. To him, discovery was the most important part of life, and without this a person would become so consumed in the world that they lose sight of what is important. Thoreau’s accepted lifestyle brought so much insight and inner peace that he decided to share his ideas with the people of all backgrounds so that they...
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...Knight Returns, can be compared to Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience in the way that Batman disobeys the law by returning back to Gotham city and fighting crime. I also show that Batman displays civil disobedience when he does his best to protect Gotham city and fight the government, promising to never give up. I show that, much like Thoreau, Batman is solitary and engages in his own war by himself against the police department, criminals, and army. Just as Thoreau willingly goes to jail for his beliefs about the Mexican War, Batman fights for what he believes to be right, not only for him, but for the people of Gotham city. Batman’s Civil Disobedience in Gotham City When corruption arises, there is always a person who questions the injustice. Acts of civil disobedience are shown in modern society today, whether in society or through the media. Many individuals who are portrayed as heroes are people who break the law and fight for the power and authority that the citizens have lost due to their rights being taken away. A person must be able to accept the outcomes and consequences of their own actions when they disobey. Being civilly disobedient is not only about breaking a law. The actions of these individuals spread ideas. In the end, the outcome of the struggle may involve a change in a law like the way Cesar Chavez used this method to get the workers a union. In Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience, the outcome may be to influence and empower others to change their minds about...
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...Dead Poets Society's Transcendentalism Transcendentalism is apparent in many forms of literature dating back to the 1800s. The film Dead Poets Society connects the idea of transcendentalism to the modern age. The idea of transcendentalism focuses on freethinking and nonconformity, With multiple examples being found in the film. The film also shares a strong connection with classic literature from the past two centuries. The movie Dead Poets Society is transcendental because of its Thoreauian setting, the teachings of Mr. Keating, and the actions and reactions of the four main characters. Henry David Thoreau's classic story "Walden" is a prime example of a connection between the movie Dead Poets Society and classic literature. Thoreau states in the story that he "went to the woods to live deliberately." In the film, They take multiple different journeys to the woods for different reasons. Even the club they take part in, the dead poets Society, takes place in a cave in the woods. It is a place where they can think freely and not worry about the judgments of their teachers at school. Though this is not the only example of transcendentalism in the movie. John Keating as a character is a key factor in the transcendentalism in this film. Famous historical writers, such as John Locke and Ralph Waldo Emerson, preach the ideas of nonconformity and freethinking. Mr. Keating transfers these thoughts into a modern perspective, teaching the boys to...
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...deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not when i came to die, discover that I had lived.” This is one of the many quotes that Chris McCandles lived by. He did exactly what the quote states. He went to live off the land and only have the essentials of life. During the summer when me and my family go Up North and stay at our cabin stranded it the middle of no where, this is exactly how I feel. While living in the society we live in today it’s really hard to get away from technology. The cabin is so far out that we barely get cell phone service and we can’t get the internet. We have cable but i much rather be outside riding the ATV than watching some stupid TV show about teens getting drunk and then knocked up. We don’t even have to use our cars when we are up north because we can drive our ATV right into town. Writers who come up with quotes have a great impact on society today. There are several things that quotes can influence, such as writers. In the song Runaway by Love and Theft, it says “and pack my bags and never look back, run a parallel line with the railroad tracks and make my getaway. This says exactly what Chris did accept Chris didn’t bring much with him when he left. “And from a rearview I got a clear view of who I used to be, a little bit faster don’t wanna turn around. This line is a good way of saying that Chris doesn’t care who he used to be and that he isn’t turing back no matter how tuff...
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...We the Students Essay Contest In order to establish a free and just society, the people must be willing to reject unjust and immoral laws. This is because laws that violate the human rights of any individuals threaten everyone else as well. Civil disobedience is the violation of unjust laws and acceptance of the punishment that comes with breaking those laws. The punishment that comes with violating the law must be accepted in order to ensure that order is maintained and that so to draw a distinction between civil disobedience and lawlessness. Peaceful resistance to unjust laws is needed in order expose and call attention to laws that are unjust and therefore positively impacts society. The resistance must be peaceful or many may be unwilling...
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... All generally accepted social beliefs are to be tossed aside and one is to follow his or her instincts. Emerson rejected labor and any outcomes of labor. He did not believe in competition or government but rather in a self propelled world. Living a solitary lifestyle is thought of as an important feature in transcendentalism. Simplicity is said to stem from self-dependency. “Society is good when it does not violate me; but best when it is likest to solitude” (Emerson). It is believed that is one lives a simple life; all will go well for them. These are just three of the many principles and characteristics of transcendentalism. 4. Explain this statement in Thoreauvian terms: “Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.” This quote taken from Thoreau’s “Civil Obedience,” is a statement that has made a large impression on countless. Thoreau believed that if the government is committing unjust actions, one should put his or her entire selves into the movement. “Cast your whole vote, not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence” (Thoreau). He believed that one should not only make a small retaliation and wait for change but that one should terminate any support of the government, even if that means ceasing to pay taxes and ending up in jail. Although this may seem extreme to many, Thoreau thinks that if the law is unjust...
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