Cynical Criticism In Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience

Throughout history, there have been individuals and forms of government lacking a moral conscience, and this will most likely continue to occur. Many argue that this is merely a facet of human nature - we, as human beings, are inherently greedy and corrupt. However, there are those who contrast sharply with this view, crying out against the wrongdoings of certain powers, pushing for change and reform. Henry David Thoreau is a prime example of these individuals. Using personification, forthright and cynical diction, and rhetorical questions, Thoreau criticizes the American government, and certain aspects of society in “Civil Disobedience” and the inability of individuals to reach their true potential in “Walden”. Ultimately, Thoreau aims to …show more content…
Its principles have guided many significant figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, and have also been the basis for a myriad of civil rights’ movements throughout history. In the beginning, Thoreau uses forthright and almost cynical diction to describe the present government, comparing a standing army to an “arm” of the government, in which arm can be taken to symbolize force alone: an arm is lacking a brain or head, and therefor intelligence. Thoreau uses this analogy to imply that the army, and furthermore the government, utilize only brute force. Additionally, he explains that the government can easily be “abused” and “perverted.” This use of negative diction causes the reader to mentally associate the government with these evil and corrupt actions. It also helps to illustrate the wrongdoings of the government, most likely evoking a realization the system needs to change. Although Thoreau hasn’t identified specific issues yet, he has hooked the reader in, already causing them to feel as though something needs to be reformed. Later on, through the use of rhetorical questions, Thoreau hones in on specific affairs, catching the focus of the reader and thus prompting specific solutions. He asks, “Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?” Thoreau goes on to describe the importance of a conscience, and the ways in which the country’s conscience has failed, chiefly with the presence of slaves and the Mexican-American War. By posing rhetorical questions to the reader, and providing answers as well, Thoreau appeals personally to the reader, pulling them further into his writing and allowing them to think for themselves. This, then, brings the issue of the corrupt government, and the manipulation of the citizens into the open, forcing the reader to think about it. When Thoreau provides an answer, as well as examples, the reader is, once