Henry David Thoreau: from "Civil Disobedience" - Purpose, Ideals

Question 1

transcendentalist ideals

Answer 1

• importance of individualism and self-reliance
• spiritual well-being is significantly more important that financial well-being
• it is important to take risks and take action (even against the government) if an individual believes an injustice is occurring

Question 2

one of Thoreau’s purposes in his writings on Civil Disobedience, as illustrated in the passage from Section 4, is to persuade readers to

Answer 2

take a step toward a better government by making known what kind of government they would respect

Question 3

in the underlined passage in section 14 of civil disobedience, Thoreau expresses the sentiment that even though he is in prison, he is freer than are those on the outside because he stands up for what is right, while they merely conform to government’s demands. which transcendentalist ideal does this thinking portray

Answer 3

individualism

Question 4

in section 10 of civil disobedience, Thoreau stresses the importance of the transcendentalist Ideal of individualism, implying that

Answer 4

even one honest many standing up for right has the power to begin the change of an entire system

Question 5

in the passage from section 19 of Civil Disobedience, Thoreau expresses the transcendental ideals of individualism and non-conformity when he writes,

Answer 5

“to be strictly just, it [the government] must have the sanction and consent of the governed”

Question 6

in the passage marked in section 14 of civil disobedience, Thoreau reflects the transcendental ideals of individualism and self-reliance by pointing out that even though he may be locked in prison, Thoreau’s thoughts and meditations, which were the only things that were dangerous about him

Answer 6

followed the jailers out of the locked door without permission or hindrance