Civil Disobedience Essay Example for Free

Civil Disobedience Essay Based on the writings of Henry David Thoreau it is very relevant that he is very opposed to government involvement of any kind. He doesn’t believe that the government should be involved in everyday life. Thoreau doesn’t understand the point of having a government system that will be useful to everyone and not just a select few. Thoreau proceeds to explain his many reasons as to why the â€Å"government is best [when it] governs [the] least.† He thought people should stand up to the very ones that made society so corrupt and weak. Thoreau believes the government puts personal selfish interests on a pedestal. Thoreau’s opening statement set the tone for his entire essay. He begins his essay by saying that the government, so far, has rarely proven to be useful. He believes that the power the government has derived from the majority rather than the few. This is mainly because the majority is the strongest group not because their viewpoint is right but because they have many in numbers. He then continues to express the fact that many people do what they believe is right and not to just follow the law created by the majority. He insists that people should do away with the law all together when the legal system becomes unjust. Thoreau then states that the United States is a perfect example of an unjust government. He believes that is because of the fact that they have shown support of slavery and they have participated in the practice of aggressive war. In regards to a man following his first obligation, Thoreau believes that a man isn’t obligated to get rid of the evils of the world, but he is obligated not to take part in these evils. This means that no man should feel the need to participate in an unruly government if he does not choose to do so. Thoreau asks, â€Å"Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think we should be men first, and subjects afterward.† He is basically stating that it is far more important to develop respect for what is right, rather than a respect for law. Thoreau sets a very powerful and aggressive tone by choosing to open his essay this way. Thoreau doesn’t see the effectiveness of reform within the US government. Thus, he wants his readers to feel the same way. He then says that he is convinced that petitioning and voting for change achieves very little. Thoreau uses a wide variety of examples, some personal, that depict the unjust system that he discusses. By using his own personal experiences, he is allowing the reader to fully understand everything he is trying to depict. He speaks on the fact that during a protest against slavery, he refused to pay the taxes that were issued to him. Because of his refusal to pay the taxes, he spent the night in jail. But, overall his thoughts and opinions dissociated him from the government because he chose not to participate in its institutions. He then states that one can’t see the government for what it really is because one is still working within it. And, in this way they believe that everything is justified because they are a part of the strong majority. He feels that having too much respect for law causes people to do wild things. For example, he believes that the government has turned soldiers into machines for their own personal use making them a shadow of what is real. Thoreau is very passionate and honest about everything that he says. He wants the reader to know exactly where in his heart these words are coming from. He never uses a harsh syntax or diction when writing because he doesnt want to sound angry. Throughout his essay, Thoreau uses an intense appeal to pathos. He mostly uses pathos when he describes a conversation with his cell mate. Thoreau asks his fellow prisoner what he got put in jail for and the man replied saying, they accuse me of burning a barn; but I never done it. Thoreau does this to appeal to the emotion of his readers by showing them that what the government does isnt fair. He also shows this when he says that he has been waiting 3 months for his trial, and he will probably have to wait another 3 months before he actually gets his trial. Thoreau describes the conversation to paint a picture in the minds of his readers, of an innocent man that had to wait a half a year to attempt to prove innocence. The fact that this innocent man was spending his waiting time in jail, draws a lot of sympathy from his readers. Thoreau also uses a great deal of imagery in this essay. When describing his  jail cell, he used the rooms were whitewashed once a month He was doing this to show his audience that his punishment really wasnt as bad as most people thought it would be. Thoreau even said that he viewed his cell almost as if it were an apartment, and the jail house, a city. This supports his idea that jail technically isnt a punishment for those in it. Thoreau, here, is trying to persuade the readers to stand together and revolt against the government because it is their duty to do so. He then goes on to say that neither him, nor his cell mate pose any real threat to society. This makes the reader question his place in jail. If he really wasnt a threat, then why was he locked up? Thoreau is very opinionated about his very broad views of the government. He believes that the government has only lasted this long because people refuse to execute their own will. And, until this happens, no changes will ever be made. Thoreau wishes for a society in which man makes decisions of his own mind and not the mind of those that are trying to suppress the truth. In some aspects Thoreau is right. Some current laws are not honorable. Overall, Thoreau just wants to conform to the laws set in place, but he feels that that phenomenon won’t happen. In his essay, Thoreau makes it very clear of his idea that government is best [when it] governs [the] least. He uses many rhetorical strategies such as imagery, symbolism and pathos as an effort to persuade the readers that the best kind of government is one of laissez-faire. His main ideas were present in his writing. He wanted to show people that a hands-off government is not the best thing for everyone. Because if he was thrown in jail for one night due to the fact he didnt pay poll tax for six years, then why dont people step up and revolt against the government? He wanted the reader to feel empowered by his words so that there could truly be a change in government policies.

Aylmers Sin and Guilt Essay -- Character Analysis, Georginas Birthmar

The sin that Aylmer shows throughout the story is in relation to Georgina’s birthmark, which dramatically and suddenly grabs hold of his character. Aylmer becomes egotistic in the ways of his actions and thoughts, not considering that he himself has a problem but that his wife’s imperfection is the problem. By Aylmer’s immoral and obsessive desire for perfection, he took Georgina’s liberty and self-confidence away, which reveales his sins. First, before the marriage, Aylmer had not been bothered by the birth-mark on Georgiana’s cheek. James Quinn and Ross Baldessarini note that â€Å"[s]oon after marrying, however, Aylmer discovered that he can think of little else but the birth-mark,† and that it disturbed him and took away from her true beauty. In relation, it is implied that this omission in Aylmer â€Å"seems to suggest that insights into human behavior are likely to be subjective, imperfect, unsatisfying† (Quinn and Baldessarini). Subsequently, Aylmer’s sin is presented through a dream in which he is conducting a surgery on Georgina to perfect her beauty. Aylmer’s idea of having a perfect wife â€Å"is characterized by Hawthorne as a mark of ‘original sin’† (Quinn and Baldessarini) or even that mankind’s race is born with imperfection. This is stated by Hawthorne as â€Å"the fatal flaw of humanity, which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her production . . . to imply that they are temporary and finite† (120). Most considerable is with the intention of Aylmer’s dream, clearly â€Å"suggests the intense, violent and remarkably sexual reaction the birth-mark evokes in Aylmer† (Quinn and Baldessarini). Alymer is so wrapped up in his own world that he forgets reality, for he â€Å"senses that escape from the human condition is hubr... ...n Aylmer’s obsession of removing her birthmark, so she encourages him to do what is required so that their lives won’t be torn apart by this birthmark of hers, as to have it removed, even if it is to take her life. Through the actions of Aylmer’s obsession, greed, guilt, sin, his intolerance to imperfection and his ability to not except himself for who he is, he must therefore, reap what he sowed. Giving Georgiana the poison to drink, watching as the mark faded away; Aylmer feels he had successfully rid himself from the imperfection that troubled him so, unknowing the birthmark was actually the key to Georgiana’s heart and her life. As the poison took hold of her life she said to Aylmer â€Å"do not repent that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer† (Fetterly 172) and then she died, leaving Aylmer alone and empty.

Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 2

The next afternoon, I found myself sitting on a stiff, low-backed velvet chair in the Cartwrights' sitting room. Every time I shifted, trying to find a spot of comfort on the hard seat, I felt the gaze of Mrs. Cartwright, Rosalyn, and her maid fall upon me. It was as though I was the subject in a portrait at a museum or a character in a drawing room drama. The entire front room reminded me of a set for a play–it was hardly the type of place in which to relax. Or talk, for that matter. During the first fifteen minutes of my arrival, we'd haltingly discussed the weather, the new store in town, and the war. After that, long pauses reigned, the only sound the hollow clacking of the maid's knitting needles. I glanced at Rosalyn again, trying to find something about her person to compliment. She had a pert face with a dimple in her chin, and her earlobes were small and symmetrical. From the half centimeter of ankle I could see below the hem of her dress, it seemed she had delicate bone structure. Just then a sharp pain shot up my leg. I let out a cry, then looked down at the floor, where a tiny, copper-colored dog about the size of a rat had embedded its pointed teeth in the skin of my ankle. â€Å"Oh, that's Penny. Penny's just saying hi, isn't she?† Rosalyn cooed, scooping up the tiny animal into her arms. The dog stared at me, continuing to bare its teeth. I inched farther back in my seat. â€Å"She's, uh, very nice,† I said, even though I didn't understand the point of a dog that small. Dogs were supposed to be companions that could keep you company on a hunt, not ornaments to match the furniture. â€Å"Isn't she, though?† Rosalyn looked up in rapture. â€Å"She's my very best friend, and I must say, I'm terrified of her going outside now, with all the reports of animal murders!† â€Å"I'm telling you, Stefan, we're so frightened!† Mrs. Cartwright jumped in, running her hands over the bodice of her navy dress. â€Å"I don't understand this world. It's simply not meant for us women to even go outside.† â€Å"I hope whatever it is doesn't attack us. Sometimes I'm scared to step foot outdoors, even when it's light,† Rosalyn fretted, clutching Penny tightly to her chest. The dog yelped and jumped off her lap. â€Å"I'd die if anything happened to Penny.† â€Å"I'm sure she'll be fine. After all, the attacks have been happening on farms, not in town,† I said, halfheartedly trying to comfort her. â€Å"Stefan?† Mrs. Cartwright asked in her shrill voice, the same one she affected when she used to chide Damon and me for whispering during church. Her face was pinched, and her expression looked like she had just sucked on a lemon. â€Å"Don't you think Rosalyn looks especially beautiful today?† â€Å"Oh, yes,† I lied. Rosalyn was wearing a drab brown dress that matched her brownish blond hair. Loose ringlets fell about her skinny shoulders. Her outfit was a direct contrast to the parlor, which was decorated with oak furniture, brocade chairs, and dark-colored Oriental rugs that overlapped on the gleaming wood floor. In the far corner, over the marble mantel, a portrait of Mr. Cartwright stared down at me, a stern expression on his angular face. I glanced at him curiously. In contrast to his wife, who was overweight and red-faced, Mr. Cartwright was ghostly pale and skinny–and slightly dangerous-looking, like the vultures we'd seen circling around the battlefield last summer. Considering who her parents were, Rosalyn had actually turned out remarkably well. Rosalyn blushed. I shifted on the chair's edge, feeling the jewelry box in my rear pocket. I'd glanced at the ring last night, when sleep wouldn't come. I recognized it instantly. It was an emerald circled by diamonds, made by the finest craftsmen in Venice and worn by my mother until the day she died. â€Å"So, Stefan? What do you think of pink?† Rosalyn asked, breaking me out of my reverie. â€Å"I'm sorry, what?† I asked, distracted. Mrs. Cartwright shot me an irritated look. â€Å"Pink? For the dinner next week? It's so kind of your father to plan it,† Rosalyn said, her face bright red as she stared at the floor. â€Å"I think pink would look delightful on you. Y ou'll be beautiful no matter what you wear,† I said woodenly, as though I were an actor reading lines from a script. Mrs. Cartwright smiled approvingly. The dog ran to her and jumped onto a pillow next to her. She began stroking its coat. Suddenly the room felt hot and humid. The cloying, competing scents of Mrs. Cartwright's and Rosalyn's perfumes made my head spin. I sneaked a glance at the antique grandfather clock in the corner. I'd been here for only fifty-five minutes, yet it might as well have been fifty-five years. I stood up, my legs wobbling beneath me. â€Å"It has been lovely visiting with you, Mrs. and Miss Cartwright, but I'd be loath to take up the rest of your afternoon.† â€Å"Thank you.† Mrs. Cartwright nodded, not rising from her settee. â€Å"Maisy will show you out,† she said, lifting her chin toward their maid, who was now dozing over her knitting. I breathed a sigh of relief as I left the house. The air was cool against my clammy skin, and I was happy that I hadn't had our coachman wait for me; I would be able to clear my head by walking the two miles home. The sun was beginning to sink into the horizon, and the smell of honeysuckle and jasmine hung heavily in the air. I glanced up at Veritas as I strode up the hill. Blooming lilies surrounded the large urns flanking the path to the front door. The white columns of the porch glowed orange from the setting sun, the pond's mirror-like surface gleamed in the distance, and I could hear the faraway sound of the children playing near the servants' quarters. This was my home, and I loved it. But I couldn't imagine sharing it with Rosalyn. I shoved my hands in my pockets and angrily kicked a stone in the curve of the road. I paused when I reached the entrance to the drive, where an unfamiliar coach was standing. I stared with curiosity–we rarely had visitors–as a white-haired coachman jumped out of the driver's seat and opened the cab. A beautiful, pale woman with cascading dark curls stepped out. She wore a billowing white dress, cinched at her narrow waist with a peach-colored ribbon. A matching peach hat was perched atop her head, obscuring her eyes. As if she knew I was staring, she turned. I gasped despite myself. She was more than beautiful; she was sublime. Even from a distance of twenty paces, I could see her dark eyes flickering, her pink lips curving into a small smile. Her thin fingers touched the blue cameo necklace at her throat, and I found myself mirroring the gesture, imagining what her small hand would feel like on my own skin. Then she turned again, and a woman, who must have been her maid, stepped out of the cab and began fussing with her skirts. â€Å"Hello!† she called. â€Å"Hello †¦,† I croaked. As I breathed, I smelled a heady combination of ginger and lemon. â€Å"I'm Katherine Pierce. And you are?† she asked, her voice playful. It was as if she knew I was tongue-tied by her beauty. I wasn't sure whether I should be mortified or thankful that she was taking the lead. â€Å"Katherine,† I repeated slowly, remembering. Father had told me the story of a friend of a friend down in Atlanta. His neighbors had perished when their house caught fire during General Sherman's siege, and the only survivor had been a sixteen- year-old girl with no relations. Immediately, Father had offered to board the girl in our carriage house. It had all sounded very mysterious and romantic, and when Father told me, I saw in his eyes how much he enjoyed the idea of serving as rescuer to this young orphan. â€Å"Y es,† she said, her eyes dancing. â€Å"And you are †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Stefan!† I said quickly. â€Å"Stefan Salvatore. Giuseppe's son. I am so sorry for your family's tragedy.† â€Å"Thank you,† she said. In an instant, her eyes became dark and somber. â€Å"And I thank you and your father for hosting me and my maid, Emily. I don't know what we would have done without you.† â€Å"Yes, of course.† I felt suddenly protective. â€Å"You'll be in the carriage house. Would you like me to show you?† â€Å"We shall find it ourselves. Thank you, Stefan Salvatore,† Katherine said, following the coachman, who carried a large trunk toward the small guest house, which was set back a bit from the main estate. Then she turned around and stared at me. â€Å"Or should I call you Savior Stefan?† she asked with a wink before turning on her heel. I watched her walk into the sunset, her maid trailing her, and instantly I knew my life would never be the same.

Native American Culture Essays - 1004 Words

Native American Culture is a culture of respect to their ancestors, and to their gods such as the moon, sun, and animals. Believing in reincarnations, they give sacrifice of animals and dance around fire to be in their gods favor; for when they die they will return in some form of animal or human. Reasons for the expansion of Europe into the west were 1). They were in search of riches ex. Gold, oil, tobacco, land, crops est., they figured if they can find these resources they can trade them and make lots of money. 2) They wanted to conquer other lands with people in it, so that they can control them; meaning using them as slaves. As slaves you can sale them for profit, work them in your house hold to do your chores, and work them in your†¦show more content†¦2) The equality to men- meaning women were started to be treated like men in most circumstances like jobs, political matters and in families. 3) The rights to an education. 4) The change of the surroundings before the ch ange things were tended more for men but after the change things started to tend for women ex. Books, jobs, and schools. Problems the confederacy faced during their form of government were, Debt- America; during post-revolutionary war there was no solution to the war debt which was overwhelming to both the nation and state. The confederacy was not organized, they had no type of police to give the law and follow it, they formed a convention but they did not have a supreme leader to oversee everything so things were not done correctly, problems of non-uniform commercial policies, nonpayment of state quotas, insufficient sources of national revenue, and non-attendance by state delegates. Also there the great compromise of the constitution. One of them was the Great compromise, were small states wanted all states to have the same number of representatives to Congress, and large states wanted representation to be determined by the population of the state. Another compromise was the 3/5t hs compromise, were southern states wantedShow MoreRelatedThe Native American Culture Of Native Americans1335 Words   |  6 Pagesand music, and Native American is no exception. First, the native music related many aspects such as ritual, life and work. 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