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Did Henry David Thoreau Use Paradoxes In Resistance To Civil Government

Decent Essays

In 1849, Henry David Thoreau’s essay, Resistance to Civil Government, was published. The essay pushes for the opposition of the Mexican-American War and slavery, but also discusses the role of citizens in the government and the flaws in “majority rules”. Through his clever use of paradoxes and anecdotes he illuminates the complicated relationship between citizens and their government. Thoreau’s use of paradoxes reflects the contradictions and double-standards that citizens face when dealing with their government. For example, he opens with the statement, "That government is best which governs least". A government is instituted to protect the people and keep society structured, but how can it do so if it cannot regulate, or govern, them? He

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