American Literature Journal entry

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? Why does it cry and resist before it is hurt? Why does it not encourage its citizens to be on the alert to point out its faults, and do better than it would have them?” – Civil Disobedience, Thoreau

A. Preparation to Write – Take some time to think about “laws” that you encounter at home, at work, at school, in society. Do you find any of them “unjust”? Is there anything you could do about these unjust “laws”?

B. Journal – Write about the “laws” you considered and your proposed remedies, if any. How would you defy the “laws” if given the opportunity?