Civil Disobedience

by

Henry David Thoreau

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The American People Character Analysis

The American people are Thoreau’s intended audience in “Civil Disobedience.” They are his fellow citizens, and Thoreau has big expectations for them. Though he believes in their goodness and their impulse toward justice, he also notes that some are misguided patriots who serve the immoral state blindly. Nevertheless, the American people are the hope that Thoreau sees in the nation. In other words, they are the way out of the moral bind that the American government has pulled the nation into. The American people, so long as they heed Thoreau’s call and practice civil disobedience, hold the power to change the course of the nation.

The American People Quotes in Civil Disobedience

The Civil Disobedience quotes below are all either spoken by The American People or refer to The American People. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
American People vs. The American Government Theme Icon
).
Civil Disobedience Quotes

This American government, —what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 275
Explanation and Analysis:

But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, 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.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 276
Explanation and Analysis:

It is not a man’s duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it practically his support.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 281-282
Explanation and Analysis:

Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing the rights of man? There will never be a really free and enlightened State, until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived and treats him accordingly.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 297
Explanation and Analysis:
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The American People Quotes in Civil Disobedience

The Civil Disobedience quotes below are all either spoken by The American People or refer to The American People. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
American People vs. The American Government Theme Icon
).
Civil Disobedience Quotes

This American government, —what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 275
Explanation and Analysis:

But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, 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.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 276
Explanation and Analysis:

It is not a man’s duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it practically his support.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 281-282
Explanation and Analysis:

Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing the rights of man? There will never be a really free and enlightened State, until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived and treats him accordingly.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government, The American People
Page Number: 297
Explanation and Analysis: