Franklin and Thoreau With the independence and expansion of the United States, it became obvious to observers in the early 19th century that there existed not only a growing American nation, but also an emerging American character. One of the strongest aspects of this character was individualism. In nothing were Americans so resolute as in their determination to assert their individual capacities and to exercise their personal liberties. Even though the ideas of the 19th century thinkers Benjamin Franklin and Henry Thoreau were very different, both of these people are considered great contributors to the development of the American individualism. One of the most important themes throughout Thoreaus work is the notion of individualism. Deeply skeptical of government, Thoreau says That government is best which governs least.
(Resistance to Civil Government) The American government is necessary because the people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have. (Resistance to Civil Government) However, the only times when government has been useful has been when it has stood aside. Furthermore, he argues that if an individual supports the government in any way – even by simply respecting its authority as a government – then that person is complicit in injustices forwarded by the government. This lays a heavy responsibility on the individual: to compromise, negotiate, or passively accept is to betray ones integrity and commit a crime. However, it would be extremely difficult for a society to function as a whole if everybody were regarded only as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature, rather than a member of society. (Walking) Thoreau knew that not everybody was going to follow his individualistic values. He argued that his duty was to set a standard for himself.
The Essay on Methods Of Persuasion Government People Thoreau
Methods of Persuasion When one thinks of government controversy, you cannot help but think of the United States. This issue is usually about how the government deals with one's rights. Throughout history there have been many that have struggled for freedom against our so-called controversial government. Three writers each had their own specific experience with this government. Although each of ...
This attitude can be understood as either imprudent or brave. It is worth noting, though, that a strong sense of individualism and skepticism toward government has served as the basis for many important reform movements. Thoreaus values are particularly American and have allowed this country to become a nation of relative freedom. As opposed to Thoreau, Benjamin Franklin, in his Autobiography, emphasized individuality of each person as a contributing factor to the society as a whole. Franklin did not concentrated so much on how an individual should behave in relation to the government, but rather talked about the ways one may perfect himself as a person. An example of working on self, according to Franklin, is I wishd to live without committing any Fault at anytime; I would conquer all that either Natural Inclination, Custom, or Company might lead me into. (Autobiography, part II) Franklin was concerned with the ways individuality can be made better, how one can become more individual.
For him, that was possible only by illumination of all flaws a person had. The more one has illuminated, the more individualistic he has become. Franklin worked out a system, which was his way to reach the perfection: I enterd upon the Execution of this Plan for Self-examination, and continud it with occasional Intermissions for some time. I was surprisd to find myself so much fuller of Faults than I had imagined, but I had the Satisfaction of seeing them diminish. (Autobiography, part II) As guidelines for obtaining individuality and becoming flawless, Franklin used a list of 13 virtues. Individualism is the view that each individual ought to live according to the values that maintain and enhance his or her own life. People as different as Franklin and Thoreau, despite having contrasting views on the essence of individuality, still agreed that America is all about being individual.
Thoreau saw criticism of, and, even to some degree, resistance to government as an expression of individualism, whereas Franklin believed that one could become individual only through self-perfection and hard work on self. Americans have quickly learned and adopted those values as own, making them the building blocks of the American life and culture. Works cited: Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin, New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1986. www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/ roots/legacy/rcgcrit.html Complete texts of Henry Thoreaus Walking and Resistance to Civil Government.
The Essay on American Dream Franklin Thoreau
... Franklin wanted. Thoreau saw no value in the progression of society if it did not help the individual ... went so far as to include in his autobiography tips on how to appear more successful ... importance of self. Thoreau said, imitation is death. He obviously felt strongly about individuality. So strongly in ... could a government exist if no one was willing to cooperate, to coalesce To this, Thoreau would ...
