Civil Disobedience By Henry David Thoreau

What is this from? What does it mean?

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations [seizing something without right], pursuing invariably the same Object evinces [shows] a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism [tyranny; abuse of power], it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elrTpoY6AYQ

Quick Write

What are the similarities and differences in philosophy between Thomas Jefferson and Henry David Thoreau? How did they recommend fighting for freedom?

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations [seizing something without right], pursuing invariably the same Object evinces [shows] a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism [tyranny; abuse of power], it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

Expert Groups

Question #1: Emma, Erin, Adam, Terra, Ryan

Question #2: Andrew, Maya, Rebecca, John, Stephanie

Question #3: Chloe, Jessica, Maddie, Megan, Rachel

Question #4: Hannah, Libby, Avery, Halie, Kerryn

Question #5: Yasmine, Bella, Ali, Ben, Hayden

Question #6: Chase, Anthony, Elizabeth, Carolyn, Julia

Read, Answer question , and Discuss within your group

Jigsaw!• Emma, Andrew, Chloe, Hannah, Yasmine, Chase

• Erin, Maya, Jessica, Libby, Bella, Anthony

• Adam, Rebecca, Maddie, Avery, Ali, Elizabeth

• Terra, John, Megan, Halie, Ben, Carolyn

• Stephanie, Rachel, Kerryn, Hayden, Julia

Expert Groups

1. Nikki 1. Isabelle 1. Rebecca1. Lauren 1. Zoe

2. Maddie2. Hunter 2. Mollie2. Dawson2.Chris

3. Jon3. Noemi3. Paris3. Megg3. Chelsey

4.Kiarah4. Katelyn4. Fayth4. Rachel4. Nate

5. Doug5. Josh5. Izak5. Spencer5. Pat

6. Samantha6. Mobolaji6. Jessica6. Bree

Jigsaw!

1. Nikki, Maddie, Jon, Kiarah, Doug, Samantha

2. Isabelle, Hunter, Noemi, Katelyn, Josh, Mobolaji

3. Rebecca, Mollie, Paris, Fayth, Izak, Jessica

4. Lauren, Dawson, Megg, Rachel, Spencer, Bree

5. Zoe , Chris, Chelsey, Nate, Pat

Expert Topics1. What are the main ideas of paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 (pg. 258)

Cite examples.

2. On pg. 259, find the passage (middle of right column), “I saw that, if there was a wall…great waste of stone and mortar.” Analyze the statement and why Thoreau felt this way.Cite examples.

3. Does Thoreau agree or disagree with the democratic concept of “majority rules”? Why or why not? Cite examples.

4. Summarize paragraph 1 on pg. 260 in 3 sentences or less.Cite examples.

5. What is the main idea of the final paragraph of the passage?Cite examples.

6. Locate the Anecdotes (small stories) and explain their importance and effects on the essay.Cite examples.

See you tomorrow!!

TranscendentalismReview

What is Transcendentalism?

• Transcendentalism:• Is a spiritual, philosophical, and literary

movement from 1836 to 1846• Before the Civil War and the emancipation of

slaves• Is considered the first truly “American”

philosophical and literary movement • Put the wisdom of the human soul over

church doctrine and law

Transcendentalist Writers• Walt Whitman

• Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Henry David Thoreau

• Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Basic Premises of Transcendentalism

• Belief that an individual is the spiritual center of the universe

• So… within each individual lie the clues to nature and history

• All knowledge begins with self-knowledge.

• Nature is a living mystery full of signs

• Nature is symbolic and spiritual

• Social Reform is necessary

Self-Wisdom• Transcendentalism revolve around the self, and the

betterment of the self• American Individualism

• Individual “genius” is a higher moral power than the laws of man

• Man can connect directly with God

Nature• Focal point of Transcendentalist beliefs – central to the

movement• Nature and the soul are linked• Thoreau took Emerson’s ideas and put them into practice• Nature is both an awe-inspiring force and a way of life• Modernization and technology leads to alienation • Not anti-progress, but worried about where the progress was

heading• Nature is a way for humans to stay in touch with their souls

and spiritual foundations

Social Reform• Transcendentalists were visionaries of Social Reform

• Issues:• Slavery• Gender • Class

• Civil Disobedience

To Thine Own Self Be True…• Text: “Self-Reliance”• Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson • Philosopher, poet, preacher,

and essayist• Known for his use of aphorisms

in his writing

To Thine Own Self Be True:“Self-Reliance” Principles•Determine Truth for Yourself- Only

accept those traditions which appear to be true; reject the rest.•Know Thyself- Become a person of

principle and then live by those principles, even if the majority of society doesn’t agree.•Be Yourself- Exercise the self-

discipline necessary to study oneself in relation to nature.

Au Natural• Text: Walden• Author: Henry

David Thoreau • Essayist & teacher • He lived in isolation

on Walden Pond for two years to learn from Nature…

Au Natural: Walden PrinciplesGod as Nature- God is in man and in all living things.

Contemplation of Divine Nature and Nature- It is best to live as close to nature as possible, for there a person can most successfully contemplate his/her reason for being.

Time and Personal Growth- Work (for money) only enough to fulfill basic needs. Dedicate the rest of your time to personal growth.

Physical and Mental Work- People should be both physically and intellectually active throughout life.

“Fight” For Your Rights…

• Text: “Civil Disobedience”• Author: Henry David

Thoreau •Wrote this essay while

in jail for refusing to pay taxes that funded a war that he didn’t believe in.

“Fight” For Your Rights:“Civil Disobedience” Principles

• Least Government Best- Have to courage to practice some form of non-violent protest if a law violates your principles, even if you must suffer the consequences.

• Four Tenants of Civil Disobedience-• You must know the law• You must appeal to a higher law (morality, God…)• You must know the consequences for violating the law• You must choose to suffer the consequences