Freedom
The Struggle for Freedom
In the heart of the play beats an unyielding theme: the relentless pursuit of freedom, which unfurls in various compelling forms. The theme of racial liberation is poignantly captured through the numerous nods to slavery. During the unfolding drama, Henry encounters a slave named Williams, who aspires to head "North as I kin git! They say the Norther ya git, the free-er ya git!" Yet, despite Henry's support for Williams's flight to Canada, he cautions him that northern men are ensnared by their own chains: "Every man shackled to a ten-hour-a-day is a work-slave. Every man who has to worry about next month's rent is a money-slave."
The Individual's Battle Against Conformity
This concept of being tethered to societal structures, even in purportedly free lands, is further illustrated through Henry's personal conflict. When Sam Staples, the affable constable, confronts Henry about his unpaid taxes meant to support the war, Henry resolutely declines, refusing to back a cause he does not believe in and rejecting a society that does:
If one honest man in this state of Massachusetts had the conviction and the courage to withdraw from this unholy partnership and let himself be locked up in the County Jail, it'd be the start of more true freedom than we've seen since a few farmers had the guts to block the British by the bridge up the road.
Through such declarations and the courage to follow through—Henry indeed allows himself to be imprisoned—he demonstrates his willingness to defy conformity, a notion often dubbed "rocking the boat." This metaphor takes a literal twist in the narrative when Henry is in a skiff with Ellen Sewell. Her father has forbidden her and her brother, Edmund, from attending Henry's school. In a moment of rebellion, Henry commands: "Stand up to your father! (He stands. The boat rocks.)" This act horrifies Ellen, much like it does the broader society.
Conformity Versus Independence
The theme of constrained freedom also reverberates through the dialogue, particularly the phrases "get along" and "go along," which imply succumbing to societal norms. When Henry is on the verge of protesting his cellmate Bailey's three-month wait for trial, Bailey demurs, saying he doesn't want to "make a ruckus. I'm not a troublemaker. I just want to earn my keep, make a little tobakky money, and get along." Henry retorts with disdain, "'Get along!' Those words turn my stomach." At the outset of the second act, Lydian chides Henry, suggesting that "in order to get along, you have to go along," a notion that provokes Henry to furiously repeat "GO ALONG! GO ALONG! GO ALONG!" Soon after, Waldo echoes the sentiment, "We have to go along with the majority!" further vexing Henry. In a nightmarish vision, General Ball questions President Waldo's readiness to "go along" with the military's ambitions to "conquer the entire territory." In unison, the characters chant "Go along!" underscoring a grim reality where conformity prevails for most.
Activism
Henry's Awakening
Driven by his fervent opposition to societal injustices such as slavery and the Mexican-American War, Henry embarks on a journey of activism. Initially, his rebellion takes the form of withdrawal, as he seeks solitude and introspection at Walden, shunning societal conventions. During a heated exchange, Waldo confronts Henry, questioning his passivity with a pointed inquiry: "And what are you doing about it, young man? You pull the woods up over your head. You resign from the human race." Undeterred, Henry challenges Waldo, probing his awareness of the ongoing conflict. Here, Henry intertwines his disdain for both slavery and the war, passionately questioning, "More
(This entire section contains 318 words.)
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More slavery and less freedom, is that what you want?"
Escalation of Activism
As the narrative unfolds, Henry's activism evolves beyond mere introspection. Following the contentious dialogue with Waldo, Henry persuades his mentor to publicly denounce slavery and the war. He rallies the community by ringing the bell of Concord, summoning townsfolk with the promise that "Emerson is going to rile up the whole country. And you're going to hear it first!" Yet, when Waldo retreats from delivering his speech, the crowd begins to disperse. Desperate to reclaim their attention, Henry rings the bell again, but this time, "THE BELL DOES NOT RING!"
In this moment of frustration, Henry questions aloud, "How do we make a sound? How do we break the silence?" His reliance on others, like Waldo, to voice his cause has faltered. A transformative realization dawns upon him after awakening from a haunting dream; he confides in Bailey that his presence at Walden may be fleeting: "I may not be there." As Henry steps boldly into his new role, the final stage directions reflect his transformation: "He seems to grow in stature, lifted and strengthened by a greater challenge." Recognizing that he cannot depend solely on others to instigate change, Henry embraces his own agency, ready to confront societal injustices head-on.
Intellectualism
In stark contrast to Henry’s vigorous activism, Waldo embodies an intellectualism characterized by contemplative musings rather than tangible actions, rendering his influence somewhat ineffectual. His eloquent lectures and writings, delivered at Harvard and other forums, have indeed sparked a fire within individuals like Henry, urging them to "'Cast Conformity behind you.'" Consequently, Waldo has risen to prominence as a popular and influential figure in the public eye. Yet, his popularity is comfortably secure, as he never stirs the waters by actualizing the ideals he eloquently professes. Henry, on the other hand, endeavors to embody the spirit of independence and transcendental living that Waldo so vividly describes. Waldo himself acknowledges this by referring to Henry as "my walking ethic!" Waldo remains the kind of person who shies away from embodying his ideals when they threaten his personal comfort.
Waldo’s Ineffectiveness and Henry's Frustration
Waldo’s lack of efficacy becomes glaringly apparent when he declines to attend a public event that Henry organizes. Instead, his wife Lydian steps in to convey his message, explaining that Waldo "wants more time to meditate on these matters … so that he can write a careful essay setting forth his position." This cerebral approach infuriates Henry, who is fervently eager for Waldo to take decisive action. Furthermore, Lydian’s words resonate with Henry, haunting him in a literal sense when, in a vivid nightmare, President Waldo echoes variations of her quote in response to inquiries about his stance on the complete annihilation of the enemy and his reaction to the tragic news of his son being shot.
