Question

Provide an objective summary of the essay “Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau. What is the central purpose and meaning of Thoreau’s essay?

Answer 1

In “Civil Disobedience,” Thoreau writes about the government at the time. He speaks about the unfair taxes that people are forced to pay and considers it unpatriotic to pay taxes that support unjust wars simply because the government and society says that it is your duty to pay taxes. What he does consider patriotic and ethical is resisting a corrupt government with a view for creating a better government in the future. Thoreau believes that civil disobedience is just when the government and greater society are acting corruptly or despotically. Thoreau concludes “Civil Disobedience” with a mention of how he actually respects the US Constitution and believes that it creates a great system, but when an injustice arises, this governing document must be questioned by the people to amend and improve it.

Answer 2

Thoreau, sums up about how it is the people's right and civil responsibility to speak out against a cruel government. That is why it is okay to use "Civil Disobedience". His purpose is to persuade people into taking action to speak out against the wrongs of a unjust government.