Question

In this excerpt from Henry David Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government," which rhetorical device does Thoreau most clearly use: rhyme, ethos, parallelism, or logos? Excerpt: "When I meet a government which says to me, 'your money or your life,' why should I be in haste to give it my money? It may be in a great strait, and not know what to do: I cannot help that. It must help itself: do as I do. It is not worth the while to snivel about it. I am not responsible for the successful working of the machinery of society."

Answer 1

In Thoreau's excerpt from "Resistance to Civil Government," the rhetorical device used is parallelism, underscoring his critique of government and advocacy of individual responsibility and action.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Henry David Thoreau's excerpt from "Resistance to Civil Government", the rhetorical device most clearly used is parallelism. Thoreau constructs a parallel structure with his repetition of phrases and clauses that start similarly but follow with different conclusions, emphasizing his message about the nature of government and individual resistance. An example of this can be seen when he states, "It must help itself: do as I do." This technique is effective in reinforcing his argument against government control and the importance of individual action and responsibility.

Thoreau's work is generally focused on the themes of individual freedom and passive resistance. His refusal to pay the poll tax and subsequent time in jail exemplify these themes, as they demonstrate his protest against what he viewed as unjust government actions. In the larger context of his work, Thoreau’s rhetorical strategies support his overarching view on civil disobedience, which had a profound influence on leaders of nonviolent movements such as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Answer 2

In the excerpt from Henry David Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government," Thoreau employs parallelism, ethos, and logos to reinforce his argument for civil disobedience and individual freedom. The repetition of similar phrases demonstrates parallelism, while he establishes his personal credibility for ethos and uses logical reasoning as logos.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the excerpt from Henry David Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government," Thoreau primarily uses the rhetorical device of parallelism. This is evident when he structures consecutive phrases or sentences in a similar way to emphasize his point. For example, he repeats the structure "It must help itself: do as I do." Thoreau contrasts his own self-reliance with the government's demands, showcasing his autonomy.

Furthermore, Thoreau's use of ethos is clear in his appeal to personal credibility. By stating his own actions and principles, such as refusal to pay taxes that support causes he finds immoral, he bolsters his authority on the subject of government intervention in the lives of individuals.

Lastly, logos is present as Thoreau provides logical reasoning behind his stance. He argues against blind compliance to government demands by emphasizing rational self-interest and the importance of individual rights, as seen in his statement, "Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison." Overall, Thoreau's writing is infused with powerful rhetoric that advances his argument for civil disobedience and individual freedom.