In the novel Grapes of Wrath, the author, John Steinbeck, explores the idea of civilization and government as migrant families move westward to settle. Along with that, the essay “Civil Disobedience,” by Henry David Thoreau, discusses about government’s role and function. Both the novel and the essay reveal authors’ beliefs about government, although they do not always share same beliefs in the idea of government. Through their works, it is apparent that Steinbeck and Thoreau have both similar and different point of views on government. Firstly, both Steinbeck and Thoreau believe that civilized society needs a form of government. Although Thoreau shares his problems with today’s government, he still considers it crucial for living. He does
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Government is a form created to regulate its people and be the guidance in living a proper life, and the citizens should be the ones to determine those. It is true that “a corporation of conscientious men is a corporation with a conscience,” because an organization not managed by wise and diligent men will neither cooperate nor ever function properly (Thoreau 2). In the end, citizens would best know how to handle certain situations, because they are directly affected by them. Also, corporation, or in this case, government, is impersonal and therefore requires conscientious people to run it. Everyone thinks differently, so the actions made by people will result in diverse ways. This may be troublesome to come to an agreement, but it is also inevitable for people’s responses to take part in determining what the government should do. When people voice their opinions, rebel against what they suppose to be wrong, continue to work hard for they think is the right thing to do for everyone, or show gratitude, the government can fix their mistakes or continue doing what satisfies the majority. Moreover, Steinbeck concurs with Thoreau’s belief. Steinbeck constantly uses characters to portray his thoughts and adds how “a man who [is wise finds] that his wisdom [is] needed in …show more content…
In the novel, Steinbeck seems to heavily encourage a form of government that involves in individuals’ lives. Although it is not strictly a government in the book, the families start creating rules that become laws, which can be seen as government. In the book, “each member [has] his own duty and [goes] to it...and [grows] into his duties” (Steinbeck 267). Without a government system that constantly gives tasks to everyone and looks out for them, all of the family members would not have gotten used to doing such things in a new environment. Also, since the leaders constantly governs the community of migrant families, they get their daily work done and learn to respect each other, making as few quarrels as possible. Unlike Steinbeck, Thoreau believes that government is best that governs least. He thinks this way because “governments are sometimes, inexpedient” (Thoreau 1). He finds government inconvenient most of the time, meaning it is useless for the people. He attempts to convey that government should not interfere in people’s lives, and rather do only what is necessary, by protecting citizens’
Government is a form created to regulate its people and be the guidance in living a proper life, and the citizens should be the ones to determine those. It is true that “a corporation of conscientious men is a corporation with a conscience,” because an organization not managed by wise and diligent men will neither cooperate nor ever function properly (Thoreau 2). In the end, citizens would best know how to handle certain situations, because they are directly affected by them. Also, corporation, or in this case, government, is impersonal and therefore requires conscientious people to run it. Everyone thinks differently, so the actions made by people will result in diverse ways. This may be troublesome to come to an agreement, but it is also inevitable for people’s responses to take part in determining what the government should do. When people voice their opinions, rebel against what they suppose to be wrong, continue to work hard for they think is the right thing to do for everyone, or show gratitude, the government can fix their mistakes or continue doing what satisfies the majority. Moreover, Steinbeck concurs with Thoreau’s belief. Steinbeck constantly uses characters to portray his thoughts and adds how “a man who [is wise finds] that his wisdom [is] needed in …show more content…
In the novel, Steinbeck seems to heavily encourage a form of government that involves in individuals’ lives. Although it is not strictly a government in the book, the families start creating rules that become laws, which can be seen as government. In the book, “each member [has] his own duty and [goes] to it...and [grows] into his duties” (Steinbeck 267). Without a government system that constantly gives tasks to everyone and looks out for them, all of the family members would not have gotten used to doing such things in a new environment. Also, since the leaders constantly governs the community of migrant families, they get their daily work done and learn to respect each other, making as few quarrels as possible. Unlike Steinbeck, Thoreau believes that government is best that governs least. He thinks this way because “governments are sometimes, inexpedient” (Thoreau 1). He finds government inconvenient most of the time, meaning it is useless for the people. He attempts to convey that government should not interfere in people’s lives, and rather do only what is necessary, by protecting citizens’