Thoreau's perspective on government, as portrayed in "Civil Disobedience," connects to his time in jail because he felt that the government was corrupt, which justified his choice to refuse tax payments, even when it led to his imprisonment. In his essay, he argues that individuals should resist unjust laws enacted by the state. He recalls his protest against slavery and the Mexican War by withholding taxes. Thoreau distinguishes between two categories of laws: divine laws, which prioritize humanity and supersede human-made laws. If human laws are deemed unjust and counter to humanity, Thoreau believes that citizens have the moral right to dissent.
- to present foundational information
- to explain the events that precede the occurrences in the text
- to aid in pinpointing where events take place
Response:
4. What becomes evident about the girls' character is that they all tend to follow and will do anything to satisfy Abigail.
