First reading of Thoreau

Gustavo Quintero
November 8, 2007
English 48A
Journal #19 Henry David Thoreau


Quote:
"I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it" (Thoreau 1858).


Summary:
Thoreau is making a radical statement by telling everybody that the key to having a free and just government is by protesting against the actions of the government.


Response:
As most college students around my age I have heard of Thoreau but I had never taken the time to reading any of his works. After we dissected and discussed Thoreau in class I clearly realized the importance and very radical way that Thoreau's writings are. For a person to think as radically as Thoreau did in the 1800's is very rare and astonishing. When we read Thoreau line by line I was amazed to see the plethora of quotes that could be taken from, Resistance to Civil Government. The way this man thought about the government and protesting it really amazes me. His work is extremely radical. Calling for the protest and breaking of unjust laws in order to obtain the government necessary to a balanced life. This type of writing and thought is what influenced many great freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

An interesting thought was brought up on class when someone said(sorry I can't remember who it was) just how would Thoreau's ideals about government work if they were actually practiced. As Scott mentioned a frequent critique of Thoreau is that he was an exceptional idealist but that his ideas would not work in the physical world. As I mentioned before there were two great men who were able to take the ideals of Thoreau and use them in the fight for there respective freedom fights. Gandhi and King Jr. were able to rally non violent protests that helped them begin and achieve the goals they each strived for. The wonderful aspect of Thoreau's essay is how all types of groups and people can use his words as an argument for their parties voice.