Final answer:
Henry David Thoreau was critical of standard US institutions, advocating for individual freedom and criticizing societal conventions and unjust governmental systems in his writings 'On the Duty of Civil Disobedience' and 'Walden; or Life in the Woods'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry David Thoreau's views on standard US institutions such as the postal service and the press are critical and reflect his disdain for what he perceives as unjust governmental restraints and conventional social expectations. Through his works, such as "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" and "Walden; or Life in the Woods", Thoreau advocates for individual freedom and self-reliance, distancing himself from society's institutions that he sees as perpetuators of injustice and conformity. In his writings, Thoreau emphasizes the importance of daily life and the role of nature in achieving greater individuality, while expressing the right to resist authority if it is deemed unjust, critiquing social constraints and government inefficiency.