The American Government Character Analysis in Civil Disobedience

The American Government is the chief antagonist of Thoreau and the American people. It is the government’s actions that Thoreau is most concerned with in the essay—in fact, they’re the reason he pens the essay in the first place. The government’s actions, primarily its participation in the Mexican-American war and in slavery, are signs of its corruption. To Thoreau, the government is a self-serving body that claims to work for the good of the American people, when in reality it works for the benefit of a powerful few. What’s more, it thwarts the law and ethics of Christianity and God, upholds immorality, and gives its citizens little to no respect. For these reason, Thoreau entreats his audience to give the government little to no respect in return. He incites the American People to practice civil disobedience by refusing to pay taxes as a way of limiiting the government’s power. Because Thoreau fears that the government has become too powerful, he relies on the American people to check the state. To Thoreau, a government with immoral tendencies cannot be deserving of the American people’s trust or taxes. Thus, Thoreau sees the American people and the government as locked in a hostile tension.

The American Government Quotes in Civil Disobedience

The Civil Disobedience quotes below are all either spoken by The American Government or refer to The American Government. 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

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 People, The American Government

Page Number and Citation: 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 People, The American Government

Page Number and Citation: 276

Explanation and Analysis:

The mass of men serve the State thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies. They are the standing army, and the militia, jailers, constables, posse comitatus, &c. In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well. Such command no more respect than men of straw, or a lump of dirt. They have the same sort of worth only as horses and dogs. Yet such as these even are commonly esteemed good citizens.

Related Characters: Henry David Thoreau (speaker), The American Government

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 277

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 and Citation: 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 and Citation: 297

Explanation and Analysis:

The American Government Character Timeline in Civil Disobedience

The timeline below shows where the character The American Government appears in Civil Disobedience. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Thoreau argues that the American government has become so corrupted that it is now being used to wage an unjust war... (full context)

Thoreau maintains that the American government has lost much of its integrity, which has made it weak enough “for a single... (full context)

Thoreau states that the American government , in direct violation of the American people’s will, is not only waging an unjust... (full context)

This leads Thoreau to call for a better and more responsible American government , one in which the majority “do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience... (full context)

State Submission as a Pretense for Patriotism Theme Icon

...that command little to no respect from the state. However, these are the people whom the government often hails as good citizens and “patriots.” Meanwhile, the people who dare to rightfully challenge... (full context)

...leads Thoreau to argue that it is impossible for a person to be associated with the American government “without disgrace.” In particular, he refuses to recognize the government as his because it is... (full context)

...of free-trade.” He also argues that they “hesitate, regret, and sometimes petition” the actions of the government with little sincerity and impact. Instead of taking real action, the residents wait for others... (full context)

Thoreau then exposes the concepts of “order” and “civil government” as ways for the American government to make the American people “pay homage to and support [their] own meanness.” He claims... (full context)

Thoreau criticizes those who disapprove of the American government ’s actions but continue to serve it dutifully. He argues that these alleged reformers are... (full context)

...thinking of the remedy to injustice as being worse than the injustice. He claims that the American government is responsible for making radical change so difficult and making the American people think that... (full context)

...a thousand men were not to pay their tax-bills this year,” because it would stop the American government from being able to “commit violence and shed innocent blood.” He then goes even further... (full context)

...for which he was eventually imprisoned. During his time as a prisoner, Thoreau realizes that the American government “resolved to punish [his] body” because “they could not reach [him].” This makes him realize... (full context)

Thoreau does, however, concede that the American people “mean well” but are just ignorant of the American government ’s sins. He claims, “they would do better if they knew how.” However, Thoreau argues... (full context)

...with any man or nation […and] conform to [the State’s laws],” he nevertheless must review the American government ’s actions and positions whenever the tax-gatherer demands he pay taxes each year, in order... (full context)

...his audience to look at the country from a “higher” vantage point to better see the American government ’s failures. He also wonders what the government must look like from God’s vantage point,... (full context)

...then admits that he would rather not waste all of his concerns and thoughts on the government , because he is distrustful of those who dedicate all their studies to understanding it.... (full context)

...letting slavery stand as it is because it was part of the “original compact” of the American government ’s founding. (full context)

The American Government Character Analysis

The American Government Quotes in Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience Quotes

The American Government Character Timeline in Civil Disobedience