Monday, November 07, 2005
Civil Disobedience Question 3
3. The Machine of Government
On the 1st page of our copy, Thoreau introduces this idea: “. . . for the people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have.” Explain.
Also, read the last ¶ on p. 69, left column. Explain the difference between “all machines have their friction,” and “But when the friction comes to have its own machine.” See also p. 70, ¶ 2, left column. What produces “friction” in a machine? How is a machine an apt metaphor for the kind of government Thoreau is attacking? Examine our government in this light.
On the 1st page of our copy, Thoreau introduces this idea: “. . . for the people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have.” Explain.
Also, read the last ¶ on p. 69, left column. Explain the difference between “all machines have their friction,” and “But when the friction comes to have its own machine.” See also p. 70, ¶ 2, left column. What produces “friction” in a machine? How is a machine an apt metaphor for the kind of government Thoreau is attacking? Examine our government in this light.
# posted by Randy Barnett @ 8:18 AM 
