Le Sage, Emerson and Thoreau

Sovereignty of the individual is a focal point for both Henry Thoreau’s “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” and Ralph Emerson’s “Self Reliance.” While not as clear, confidence and suggestions of man-as-an-island are implicit in Thoreau’s piece, and if the question is of the action taken with these ideals in mind, yes, Henry took Ralph’s words further. A lot centers on whether or not the night in prison can be considered action, though. While it can be considered a crowbar in ‘the machine,’ as Thoreau’s tax evasion voices disapproval as much as any protest, the self reliance of Emerson is slightly watered down by Thoreau. Considering Emerson’s praise of “the great man who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude,” it seems Thoreau’s protest goes too far for Emerson’s ideals BUT only because he is one man without impact on his named “machine.” Had the refusal of poll taxes been done en masse, Emerson’s solitary, self reliant man would transcend and transform in the solitary, self reliant group which has no choice but to act out. An individual protest forces discomfort on another man. More work, headaches in court, etc. A group’s impact is that much greater, balancing out the defender’s discomfort with the advantageous change desired by many. A group argument contrasts Emerson’s non-conformist ideal. But, the conformity of few for the benefit of the many would probably be a necessary evil. Even Thoreau saw reason in obeying something undesirable to produce an impact on something much more worthwhile: “If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go.” While he is speaking of laws and restrictions, not of abstract concepts like individual sovereignty, the phrase “lesser of two evils” still applies. Thoreau’s jail time actually seems to hamper the concept of the quiet, self reliant, confident man and vies for an outspoken, action hero, which needs many many many sidekicks if anything (peace, abolition) is going to get done.