Unit Question: To what extent is civil disobedience crucial to the survival of humanity/ civilized society?
Civil disobedience is not only crucial to the survival of a civilized society, but also to one’s own happiness. From events in history and a variety of written texts, it is shown that civil disobedience can lead to a society or an individual’s happiness. Sources including Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, events from the civil rights movement, and films about inequality and social standards show examples of civil disobedience and its impact on society.
Chris McCandless’ actions exemplifies civil disobedience to fulfil his dream and find happiness. Because of his actions, many argue that Chris was courageous and brave for sacrificing his
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Many individuals in the past have roles in civil disobedience, the most popular individual being Martin Luther King Junior. During the time, blacks were often discriminated and segregated from whites because of the color of their skin. Dr. King was one of the leaders who stood up against discrimination and influenced many across the nation. In Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech, he states, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” In this statement, Dr. King implies that without someone to disobey society and fight for problems in society, nobody will live the life they wish to live. His act of disobeying society and fighting for equality shaped America into a more united and civilized society. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi and his use of non-violent civil disobedience also greatly benefitted India’s society. In a video clip shown in class, Gandhi tells his followers not to fall into the path of society, but to walk his or her own path. If one doesn’t truly give up power to society, they will never truly be owned. Gandhi’s peaceful civil disobedience allowed India to achieve its independence and lead to happiness for himself, society, and generations
In the book, “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer. Chapter 10 tells us the body of Chris McCandless was found and for a week they still had not been able to identify the body. On September 10th, the story of a dead hiker was published in the Anchorage Daily News. Jim Gallien saw the article and called the State Troopers and said, “Hey, I think I gave that guy a ride.”(99) At first the trooper did not believe Jim, because there have been already a number of people who said they knew the hikers identity. Jim kept talking to the trooper and described a few items that was not mentioned in the newspaper. Ultimately, what convinced the trooper about Jim’s claim was an entry in Chris’s journal that said, “Exit Fairbanks. Sitting Gallien. Rabbit Day” (99).
While some argue that Chris McCandless was reckless and lost his life because of it, I agree with those who said he was a courageous man. People today are so comfortable with the life they live that they don’t understand when someone else chooses to live a unique and different life. Society is quick to judge and people often say they would never do something so selfish. However, many people fear what is not considered normal. “I wish I could just run away and leave everything behind” is said so frequently because often those who say it are unhappy with their lives. Many people are too afraid to change their lives, but Chris McCandless wasn’t scared to leave everything behind in order to find happiness. Instead of living a comfortable life
Civil disobedience spawns a major and widely debated issue by many who established by well-known intelligent scholars and many examples of civil disobedience become displayed. The acts of civil disobedience can be noted in major works such as Sophocles?s Antigone, King?s ?Letter from Birmingham Jail?, or even from Plato?s ?from Crito?. A specific claim exemplified throughout these works make that civil disobedience races in gaining popularity and should remain allowed, and continued to be seen as a solution to reform poorly established laws. A claim represented is, civil disobedience is right. Rhetorically, appeals such
In the story, Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer, the main character, Chris McCandless left a strong and lasting impression on a lot of people. Chris who was well-educated, smart young man who touches a lot of people heart, but mostly touches the heart of an a 80-year-old veteran Ron, Franz who is a retired army veteran who once had a drinking problem due to his son and wife's death and two other people who name is Jan Burres and Wayne Westerberg that seemed to catch the interest also. McCandless was one of those people. Which it stated that ‘McCandless made an indelible impression on a number of people during the course of his adventure, most of whom spent only a few days in his company, a week or two at most
Civil disobedience comes in every package under the sun. Whether it be Henry David Thoreau refusing to pay his taxes to protest the Mexican-American War or Mohammed Ali refusing the draft because he believed that they were sending him to fight for rights in another country that he didn’t have in his own. The importance of civil disobedience, particularly in those with influence over the people, is often overshadowed by opposition leaders and naysayers on the other side of the argument. But civil disobedience has kept America moving forward for over 240 years and it won’t be stopping any time soon.
Is it worth to give up your lifestyle and force yourself to live a different one? Some people are willing to quit their own lifestyles to live a whole new different life. In the story “Into the Wild” Chris McCandless was running from his family because of all the drama that he had to face growing up. He even left Washington D.C to move to Alaska, he did this because he was very fond of nature. In the book “Into the Wild” the Author Jon Krakauer explains how Chris McCandless was able to sacrifice his life in order to live a life in the wilderness. A lot of people wouldn’t want to do this because people wouldn’t to want to be willing to give up their own lifestyle in order to start a new one from scratch. It’s not worth it to lose your own lifestyle because it could also result into you losing your life as well.
From Cherokee Indians refusing to abandon their homes in 1838 to the Sit-ins of the civil rIghts movement in the early 1960s, people have been using acts of civil disobedience to stand against injustice they saw in their communities. Although there are many examples of people abusing this benefit and causing more grief and shame than progress, many have used it to their advantage to bring about positive change for the greater good of society, therefore acts of civil disobedience can positively impact a free society if they remain peaceful, respectful, and justified.
Disobedience is an important force in our society and helps bring about necessary social progress because it will lead to superior lives for its citizens. Oscar Wilde believed that through disobedience there is man’s original virtue. He asserts that civil disobedience promotes social progress. I agree with Wilde's belief because looking throughout centuries, society has shown a variety of situations with the act of practicing disobedience,and have achieved their goal.
Civil disobedience allows citizens in the free society of the United States to express their opinions in a way that is sure to evoke governmental attention, while enlightening the public
Into the Wild is a modern day exploration of liberty found by eschewing custom and flinging oneself into the literal wilderness. Exploring Christopher McCandless' true story, the film couches McCandless' search for freedom in noble terms, quoting Lord Byron, for example. In addition, both John Stuart Mill and Anne Norton would appear to agree with McCandless' adventure, though there is also the cautionary possibility that McCandless was troubled and selfish rather than noble. John Stuart Mill and Anne Norton both argue for throwing off custom in order to find greater personal freedom. In that respect, McCandless certainly was a man after their own hearts. Unfortunately, it could also be forcefully argued that McCandless was utterly ignorant and lacked respect for the wilderness, for others who knew how to live in the wilderness, and for the family that he put through hell. Even 10-year-old girl scouts know that you should always be prepared but McCandless, a grown, intelligent man, did not bother to prepare himself. Consequently, McCandless could be viewed as a noble adventurer or as a fool.
Overall, Civil Disobedience is an important part of the United States and what it is. If America did not have the laws protecting those who had protested against the crimes of the government, it would not have made the progress that it has. Civil Disobedience is a part of the American Dream and must be protected as
Christopher Johnson McCandless walked alone into the Alaskan wilderness with very little equipment and food after traveling to various parts of North America during the course of two years. Regardless of living on his own with not many things for a couple of years, Chris died alone in a bus on the Stampede Trail in Alaska. Author Jon Krakauer wrote a 9,000 word article titled “Death of an Innocent” for the 1993 issue of the magazine Outside. Into the Wild is simply an extension of that article which explains what provoked Chris into living such a life, who he was, and how he died. The author proves to the reader that Chris was an intelligent man by explaining his research about edible plants and his ambition which builds up Chris’s
America was founded on a principle of civil disobedience. With the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers set forth a powerful precedent. The Declaration said in part, that when institutions of government becomes destructive or abusive of unalienable rights, it is the right of the people to alter it or to abolish it. The history of our nation tells us that civil disobedience is a civic responsibility, and in the alleged words of Thomas Jefferson, “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism”. From the Boston Tea Party to the Stonewall Riots, the United States Constitution and advances in racial, social, and gender equality support the idea that peaceful resistance positively contributes to a freer society, and a more equitable America.
Typically, when civil disobedience comes up, we look to the long line of heroes who put their lives on the line to help define what civil disobedience meant and how it could be successfully used in order to effect change. Gandhi, Susan B. Anthony, M.L. King and Mandela, are among the many men and women who fought great injustices in the past by taking a stand and calling attention to an unjust law. They used civil disobedience against the established order of things as a tool to not only
From the time we are children and throughout the duration of our lives, we are told to abide by certain sets of rules. In most situations this is a perfectly acceptable expectation; speed limits, remaining quiet in libraries, and waiting until the age of twenty-one to drink are all reasonable things to ask of people. After all, these rules and laws are put in place to ensure a peaceful and safe society. However, when these rules begin to infringe upon the rights of certain groups, some citizens turn to civil disobedience as a form of protest. While some may argue that civil disobedience is nothing more than a violation of the law, it has also proven to have a positive impact on society, in more ways than one. Used by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin