Themes: Individual Conscience and Action

Throughout “Civil Disobedience,” Henry David Thoreau expresses his strong concern with the weight of individual conscience. This is an especially important matter because of the ways in which it connects with each person’s civic responsibilities and decisions about their relationship with the government. Through rhetorical questions, Thoreau suggests that conscience is what decides right and wrong behaviors and that people should resist any...

Themes: Just and Unjust Laws

The government only represents the American people to a certain extent. Instead, governance is achieved by the administration of laws intended to control people’s actions. Not every law is equally valid, Thoreau argues, and decisions to follow and enforce laws must be selectively made. One fundamental basis for such decisions is the relative justice of each individual law, which must be considered on its own merits. Following his oft-repeated...

Themes: Democracy in the United States

Thoreau points out numerous negative features of the US democratic system. One of its key problems is that, through representative democracy, a few individuals (state and national legislators) make decisions on behalf of others. The government is “the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will.” The American people have thereby given up much of their rights and responsibilities in carrying out governance. This allows a few people to...

Themes: Civil Disobedience

In "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau explores the theme of civil disobedience as a moral duty against unjust government actions. He argues that individuals should prioritize their conscience over compliance with the law, advocating for nonviolent resistance to promote justice. Thoreau criticizes the government's involvement in slavery and the Mexican-American War, urging citizens to act according to their ethical principles rather than blindly...

Themes: Individualism

"Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau underscores the theme of individualism by advocating for personal conscience over societal norms and government mandates. Thoreau challenges the authority of majority rule, arguing that true justice comes from the individual's moral compass. He posits that individuals should prioritize their own beliefs and values, even if it means opposing the law or the majority. This emphasis on personal integrity...

Themes: Government

In "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau critiques the nature and function of government, advocating for minimal governance and emphasizing the importance of individual conscience over majority rule. He uses metaphors and examples to illustrate how government often fails to serve justice and individual rights effectively.

Thoreau famously compares government to a machine, suggesting that while some form of government machinery is necessary, it often...