To What Extent does American Literature of the Period Reflect a Need for Direction and Concern over the Future ?
HANNAH DEVINE
With close references to ‘ Resistance to Civil Government ’ and Walden by Henry David Thoreau , this essay shows that American Literature reflects a need for direction and a concern over the future to a large extent . The overarching argument , however , is that Thoreau ’ s literature is problematic in that his vision of individualism is too single-minded and militant . Whilst Thoreau maintains a concern over the current and future relationship with slavery , which he actively condemns , his objective becomes more so to impose his own intuition onto his reader rather than maintaining a social conscience . Significantly , his militancy makes his definition of direction selfcontradictory and elusive , given his later advocation for violence and his use of aggressive language . In Walden , his concern shifts towards the purity of the self from corrupt institutions . The essay suggests that Thoreau becomes megalomanic in his approach and is too concerned about his romantic ideals of reconnecting with the self and the natural world , rather than thinking realistically about what his reader can achieve . Although he does reflect a need for direction and a concern over the future , his vision becomes too introspective and egocentric .
The argument must be anchored in the contextual background of which Thoreau makes his assertions . Thoreau writes during the antebellum period when the institution of slavery was the nation ’ s major form of economic growth . Not only this , but Eugene D . Genovese argues that “ slavery gave the South a social system and a civilisation with a distinct class structure [ and ] political community […]”, dividing a nation in need of redirection . 2 The significant position that slavery held in society , combined with the discord between the North and South , is problematic and sets a premise for Thoreau ’ s concerns and propositions . The entrance of Texas into the Union in 1845 and the ensuing war with Mexico in 1846 exacerbated the political unrest and brought to light the unjust laws enforced by the government . 3 This contradicts the government ’ s promise of liberty and equality for the nation and adds stature to Thoreau ’ s principles as a vehicle for action and new direction .
In ‘ Resistance to Civil Government ’, which is referred to as ‘ Civil Disobedience ’, Thoreau maintains that the government has failed to meet their obligation to protect and preserve the liberty of the state : “ It does not keep the country free . It does not settle the West ” ( p . 953 ). The bitter tone is justified considering the events that led to political unsettlement , and the slavery driven society that reinforced Thoreau ’ s antiinstitutionalism . He stresses that one should not support any measure that exists at the expense of other people ’ s freedom , and a clear request for a change in direction is made . This makes Thoreau ’ s propositions throughout the essay more powerful when they are read at face value , considering the turmoil created by a self-serving government . However , his propositions and underlying transcendental philosophy deserves
HANNAH DEVINE
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