Table of Contents
- 1 Do you think there is as Thoreau sees it a difference between individual conscience and majority rule?
- 2 Why might Thoreau include an anecdote about the boys and the dog what is the purpose of the comparison of the state to a woman with her silver spoons?
- 3 What is Thoreau’s logical argument here how does he enhance the emotional appeal of his argument?
- 4 What example does Thoreau use in providing an example of the problems with the government?
- 5 How does Thoreau define the best possible kind of government according to Thoreau When will Americans get the best possible kind of government?
Do you think there is as Thoreau sees it a difference between individual conscience and majority rule?
In the conflict between majority rule and the individual conscience, Thoreau is firmly on the side of the latter. He argues that people should be people of conscience first and “subjects afterward,” because to be otherwise is to be mindlessly obedient to whatever the state asks, whether just or unjust.
What emotional appeal does Thoreau make in this paragraph?
Thoreau uses an emotional appeal in citing what the government does not do; what does government not do? Government does not keep the country free, settle the West, or educate – all these actions are accomplished by individuals.
Why might Thoreau include an anecdote about the boys and the dog what is the purpose of the comparison of the state to a woman with her silver spoons?
Why might Thoreau include this anecdote about the boys and the dog? What is the purpose of the comparison of the state to a woman with her silver spoon? He is saying if someone can’t hurt you, they will hurt things or people close to you in order to hurt you. He is also saying the state is stingy and selfish.
Why do you think Thoreau includes this personal anecdote?
why do you think Thoreau includes this personal anecdote about his night in jail? Thoreau probably included this anecdote from his night in jail to share how he felt while he was jail, like he felt trapped and he felt as he was treated like dirt, and he did not deserve to be treated like this.
What is Thoreau’s logical argument here how does he enhance the emotional appeal of his argument?
He increases emotional appeal by use of repetition (“It does not”) as if he were a speaker pointing his finger and raising his voice. A. Thoreau appeals to logic by arguing that the government is not as forceful as one person. He also writes that the government accomplishes nothing on its own.
What does Thoreau consider the most effective way of expressing his displeasure with the government?
Thoreau considers civil disobedience one of the most effective ways of expressing his displeasure with the government. Civil disobedience, as the name suggests, is the active disregard and breaking of a government rule when a private citizen believes it is unnecessary or even against society’s best interests.
What example does Thoreau use in providing an example of the problems with the government?
Thoreau uses logic in providing an example of the problems with the government. What is the example? He talks about how if people would have had a say in the situation, the Mexican War wouldn’t have been initiated.
Why do you think Thoreau includes this personal anecdote about his night in jail consider why he feels free as he stands in his cell contemplating his own imprisonment?
How does Thoreau define the best possible kind of government according to Thoreau When will Americans get the best possible kind of government?
Terms in this set (5) How does Thoreau define the best possible kind of government? Thoreau envisions the best kind of government as on that does not govern. He supports laissez-faire (free enterprise, free trade, noninterfering).
What kind of arguments and appeals is Thoreau making?
What kind of arguments and appeals does Thoreau making? The author creates his argument with the use of the methods of appeal; pathos, an emotional appeal, ethos, an appeal based on proving credibility, and logos, an appeal to logic.