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
Read, Answer question ,
and Discuss within your group
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
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
1. Nikki
1. Isabelle
1. Rebecca
1. Lauren
1. Zoe
4.Kiarah
4. Katelyn
4. Fayth
4. Rachel
4. Nate
2. Maddie
2. Hunter
2. Mollie
2. Dawson
2.Chris
5. Doug
5. Josh
5. Izak
5. Spencer
5. Pat
3. Jon
3. Noemi
3. Paris
3. Megg
3. Chelsey
Expert Groups
6. Samantha
6. Mobolaji
6. Jessica
6. 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 Topics
1.
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!!
Transcendentalism
Review
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 selfdiscipline 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 Principles
God 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