Comparison of Thoreau and MLK Jr

Topics:
Words:
1347
Pages:
3
This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples.

Cite this essay cite-image

In Henry David Thoreau's ' Civil Disobedience' and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's. 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,' the creators look at the thought of defying the administration on account of good treachery. Thoreau sets forth his thinking for opposing the law and gets other individuals to battle for what they know to be ethically right. Likewise a century later King verbalizes his need to fight the legislature and how a dynamic approach can possibly make a difference. In both of these papers, King and Thoreau investigate the idea of methodical unfairness. Also utilizing various tones to pass on their messages.and test laws that some and maybe even you, feel weren’t ethically right.

Inside 'Civil Disobedience' and 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,' the creators address treacheries that are submitted by the administration. Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King have two very surprising points of view: Thoreau is a white man living during the 1800s declining to make good on regulatory obligations, and King is a black man at the front line of the Civil Rights Movement. A ruler is dependent upon the laws he restricts, Thoreau is not. Regardless of their contrasting perspectives, the two do share a very similar belief system. At the point when Thoreau discusses government shameful acts, he is discussing subjection while when King does so he is alluding to isolation. Thoreau states in his article, ' If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators in Congress for guidance, uncorrected by the seasonable experience and the effectual complaints of the people, America would not long retain her rank among the nations' (Henry David Thoreau Pg. 739). In saying this, he implies that if residents never scrutinized the administration's activities the United States would not be the nation that it is. A law isn't naturally just or reasonable in light of the fact that it was set up by the legislature, and it is the activity of the residents to hold the administration under tight restraints.

Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
  • Proper editing and formatting
  • Free revision, title page, and bibliography
  • Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Place an order
document

[bookmark: _gjdgxs]In addition to pointing out the administration's requirement of social shameful acts in the public arena, Thoreau contends that it is a resident's obligation to face a great difference. In doing as such, Thoreau's work addresses the possibility of the individual versus the group or the minority versus the dominant part. He states in his article, 'Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have persuaded the majority to alter them. They think that, if they should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil. But it is the fault of the government itself that the remedy is worse than the evil. It makes it worse. Why is it not more apt to anticipate and provide for reform? Why does it not cherish its wise minority?' (Henry David Thoreau Pg. 732). In Thoreau's conclusion, a general public wherein the dominant part consistently gets the opportunity to direct the laws set up is a general public where out of line laws exist. He contemplates what ought to be done when the minority demonstrates to be the more good group. Thoreau asserts strongly, issues of ethical quality ought to be chosen by the individual and not by the laws set by the legislature. In which I agree to agree with Thoreau.

Since the administration chooses what is permitted, Thoreau influences individuals to consistently battle for what is good and to never be careless despite treachery. He contends, 'Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison' (Henry David Thoreau Pg. 731). A person who is moral and good can't be unconcerned to foul play happening in the public eye.

Also, in the 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' Dr. King argues that the privileges of a minority might be allowed but will be battled for and highly tested. In the wake of tending to the convictions of the individuals who counter his system Dr. King states, 'We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor it must be demanded by the oppressed' (Pg. 261). Dr. King’s rivals question why to violate the law when one can essentially endeavor to move towards arrangement in a progressively inactive way because of this counterargument. Dr. King affirms that immediate activity is important to roll out a huge improvement. Dr. King states, 'You may well ask, 'Why direct activity, why demonstrations, walks, etc.? Isn't exchange a superior way?' You are actually directly in your call for an arrangement. To be sure, this is the reason for the direct activity. The peaceful direct activity looks to make such an emergency and set up such innovative pressure that a network that has reliably wouldn't arrange is compelled to go up against the issue. It looks for so to perform the issue that it can never again be disregarded.' (Pg. 264) One can't kick back and trust that in the long run persecuted and underestimated gatherings will pick up the rights they worked towards. Through looking at history, it is obvious that people with significant influence don't relinquish their benefits without anyone else activity they should be compelled into doing as such. Dr. King says in his letter, 'My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure. History is the long and tragic story of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture but, as Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us, groups are more immoral than individuals' (Pg. 262 ). Much like Thoreau, King perceives that people are regularly better than the system. One may see unfairness in the public eye and become ready to alter their way of life, and let nothing get in their way. None of the past advancement made by the Civil Rights Movement has been accomplished through lack of concern. Change is made by people willing to undergo prosecution and being condemned by the public and not giving up in the wake of battle. Yet still not willing to give up until they see actual change occurs.

Both Henry David Thoreau and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. express comparative ideas and thoughts, but yet in their own unique way. Thoreau comes off as being very irritated and frustrated in his tone as you read from his text. Where Dr. King always sounds very put together while getting his point across in his text. When Dr. King wrote while in jail, he was still able to resight scripture off the top of his head. In other text Dr. King states, 'You express a great deal of anxiety over our willingness to break laws. This is positively a real concern. Since we so constantly urge individuals to comply with the Supreme Court's choice of 1954 banning isolation in the government-funded schools, it is somewhat bizarre and confusing to us deliberately overstepping laws.' (Pg. 256) Here he recognizes the position of the white men and sees that they mean well however, however their absence of activity isn't what is going to make things happen. It isn’t what’s going to bring forth change.

In both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau's expositions, they investigate the possibility of common noncompliance. Their messages are entwined, yet their tones vary significantly. Dr. King intentionally keeps up an increasingly aware tone, as a black man living under a country that persecutes him. Thoreau is a white man that isn't straightforwardly influenced by the contrast given by the administration. Yet at the same time Thoreau communicates his intense disgust for it. A decade apart and both together have different points of view, however they both offer comparable perspectives. Both urge people to do what they feel is ethically right and to not submit to what you feel is unjust.

Make sure you submit a unique essay

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Comparison of Thoreau and MLK Jr. (2022, February 17). Edubirdie. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/comparative-analysis-of-the-late-and-great-henry-david-thoreau-and-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
“Comparison of Thoreau and MLK Jr.” Edubirdie, 17 Feb. 2022, edubirdie.com/examples/comparative-analysis-of-the-late-and-great-henry-david-thoreau-and-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
Comparison of Thoreau and MLK Jr. [online]. Available at: <https://edubirdie.com/examples/comparative-analysis-of-the-late-and-great-henry-david-thoreau-and-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/> [Accessed 2 Nov. 2024].
Comparison of Thoreau and MLK Jr [Internet]. Edubirdie. 2022 Feb 17 [cited 2024 Nov 2]. Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/comparative-analysis-of-the-late-and-great-henry-david-thoreau-and-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
copy

Join our 150k of happy users

  • Get original paper written according to your instructions
  • Save time for what matters most
Place an order

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via support@edubirdie.com.

Check it out!
close
search Stuck on your essay?

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.