Education In Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience

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Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience accepts the idea that one can hold one’s own morals over the restricting boundaries of the law. It criticizes American policies, most notably slavery and the Mexican-American war. James Baldwin’s A Talk to Teachers criticizes the American education system. It also identifies the paradox of education in a society as well. However, both men seek these things for the benefit of civilization. The foundation on which these arguments are made, is based on change toward a more just society. Thoreau’s idea of a government is one that is more efficient and more productive. He relates the government to a “wooden gun” meaning the government is abortive. The only time when the government was ever advantageous…show more content…
Foremost Thoreau addresses the paradox of kindly praising a solider, and deeming the solider as a “good citizen”, who does not wish to serve in unjust war yet, the people still pay taxes and abide by the law of the land. Also, Thoreau addresses the fact that many people oppose a fact openly yet once the time arrives to make an aberration no one is present. “There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them; who, esteeming themselves children of Washington and Franklin, sit down with their hands in their pockets, and say that they know not what to do, and do nothing”. This excerpt from Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience openly reveals the paradox of society. Subsequently, Thoreau uses a rhetorical question to reinforce his contentions. On the other hand, Baldwin also points out hypocrisy of society as well. Baldwin commences his argument by stating that the Black student is told that he is equal however in society the child is seen as a stereotype. Baldwin clearly describes the stereotype of an African American. He uses himself as an example he tells us that he does not fit the mold of an African American, however he still is an African American. Baldwin references to the pledge of allegiance by quoting the phrase “liberty and justice for all”. However, the irony is that African Americans in that time period did not have justice or…show more content…
It is evident in Baldwin’s speech that there was a struggle between African American and Caucasian. Foremost, Baldwin identifies the segregation between African Americans in the church, politics, government and even on the streets of New York. “We came to the bottom of the labor market, and we are still there”. Baldwin repeats this theme of “we” through out the paragraph to establish a sense of unity in the African American community. He also refers to the Caucasians as “you” to create a feeling of being an outsider and “you” can only imagine what it feels like to be an African American. Baldwin. Thoreau also uses the theme of us versus them when he compares the people to the government. Thoreau basically coveys that it is the people against the government. It is evident when Thoreau says we must be “men first and subjects afterwards”, implying that one must be a person who is governed by ones self rather than primarily being a subject to the government. He
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