A Reflection on Thoreau's Essay on Civil Disobedience.
This essay contains many themes, but most importantly it encourages the celebration of individuality. According to author Per Herngren in his book Path of Resistance: The Practice of Civil Disobedience, "Thoreau urges individual thought and the questioning of authority." (Herngren, 1993) A point that rises above even the largest of points made in Thoreau's essay. Thoreau goes on to criticize those who give their bodies and minds to the government, never questioning the government or having to make moral judgments. He also emphasizes non-conformity, another essential part of Transcendentalism. The essay talks of the rights of the minority, and how they should deal with a law they consider unjust or an action by their government they take to be wrong. He writes of the two ways that a concerned citizen to deal with an unjust law or action; to attempt to convince the majority of their opinion, or to protest with civil disobedience.
