Jude Imohi

Dr. Treis

EN 104

24 April 2017

The Henry David Thoreau Story

The story of Henry David Thoreau is written in first person as a biography. As Henry rants about

the about the Government and politicians, he also mentions how he doesn’t agree with many laws that

have been established and how the government chooses to handle situations in an unconscious way.

Henry also speaks on how he doesn’t like the government along with politicians. Henry is not a fan of

the principles that the government abides by. In this written passage by Henry he reveals and explains in

detail his opinion on society and our leaders, while doing so he gives a logical insight on how he views

the world from his perspective.

Henry speaks on how our soldiers are raised to believe that our governments ways are always

right, but in reality we are like puppets in the government's hands. He explains how as citizens we

choose to obey the orders and laws of the government when he says, “Can there not be a government

in which the majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?—in which majorities

decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable?”( Thoreau 2). Henry explains

that even as a citizen, that because the authorities make laws doesn’t mean we have to follow, and if we

decide to consider following we should analyze all aspects of the situation that benefit and hurt us as a

whole. Henry also explains his views on why he believes we are so easily manipulated when he states,

“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 that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not

desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation which I have a

right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right” (Thoreau 2). Henry explains that he feels the

only time “we the people” should acknowledge the government is when we have decided upon doing so

on our own behalf.

During Henry's time he mentions how he views leaders of our country. He explains how he sees

leaders such as lawyers, ministers, and office holders. He explains how society is easily manipulated by

these leaders and how they gleefully take advantage of our people. Henry also states how he believes

these leaders act as machines in society when he states, “The mass of men serve the state thus, not as

men but as machines, with their bodies” (Thoreau 3). Henry tells us that he views the leaders of our

country as machines, meaning they do things with no feeling or thought they just commit actions with

no logical reasoning. Machines don't have brains, meaning that Henry views the leaders as consciousless

human beings. The leaders of our country portray a positive image while in reality leaders such as

ministers take advantage of our society. In today's society some leaders such as ministers pretend to be

here to support their local civilians spiritually but many take their money and time for their own

personal benefit. Leaders such as lawyers also manipulate those in society today, no matter the

circumstances when people of society are in need of a lawyer to defend their civil rights, lawyers

depending on social status will set a price for their justice, causing it to be a hassle for civilians to obtain

a lawyer fit for their case. Which puts civilians in a losing situation.

Henry also compares our system to the slave system. He explains how our votes mean nothing

to congress and do nothing for our country or running candidates. Henry explains how our votes are
meaningless and even if we were to choose based upon our analysis who we favored as president that

still doesn't defeat the fact that our government doesn't value not only us as people of our country, but

our votes as well. Henry explains why he didn't feel confident in his voes when he states, “I cast my vote,

perchance, as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right should prevail. I am willing to

leave it to the majority. Its obligation, therefore, never exceeds that of expediency. Even voting for the

right is doing nothing for it” (Thoreau 6). Henry explains that he came to the realization that our votes

are worthless. In reality today our elections are based off of the electoral college who ever the House of

Representatives of that state elect as their candidate overthrows our votes. Henry explains that these

votes are basically pointless in existence and hold no meaning to our country's election.

As Henry rants about his beliefs and views on our presidents and on how the United States

handles particular situations when dealing with society. He gives readers an example from his point of

view, as he explains to us why he chooses not to abide by our county's rules he proves his reasons why

based off the actions committed by our leaders and government officials.