Read the excerpt from a letter martin luther king, jr. wrote while imprisoned in birmingham jail in 1963. one who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. based on his behavior in "civil disobedience," how would thoreau most likely feel about king’s statement? he would believe that his reasons and king’s reasons for protest were completely unrelated. he would disagree with king’s belief that one must accept the penalty for political protest. he would believe that king did not understand the nature of political protest. he would agree with king that one should engage in political protest peacefully.

Answer

Henry David Thoreau agreed with Martin Luther King Jr that one should take on the political protest peacefully.  

Explanation

Thoreau’s definition of Civil disobedience was the source of inspiration for Luther. Thoreau and Luther both were incarcerated under the same law that they resisted that was a peaceful political protest. Both the letter by Martin Luther and an essay by Henry Thoreau delivered the same message to the public.

Further Explanation

Martin Luther King Jr. broke an unjust law in opposition to political manifestation for which he was imprisoned for a day without being allowed his legitimate right to speak to his lawyer.

On his first encounter after twenty-four hours, with the outer world, he wrote a letter which was printed in a newspaper decrying the demonstrations and calling the lawmakers or the jailers unwise. In his letter, “A Letter from Birmingham City Jail” he argues that his fellow have a duty to fight for justice.

He also explains four steps of nonviolent protest: fact-finding, arbitration, self-purification, and straight action.

Thoreau agrees with Martin Luther King Jr. because he has the same beliefs about law and justice that one who suffers its penalty can show society the inequality done by the law and this might change the law quicker so that someone else does not go through any more prejudice.

Learn More

Learn more about the letter at: Answered by Twigsapastron

Learn more about Thoreau and Martin Luther at:

Answered by Holesstanham

Keywords

Thoreau, Martin Luther King Jr, letter from Birmingham, negotiation, self-purification, decrying, constitutional right.

Thoreau would agree that one should engage in political protest peacefully.

Further Explanation:

Thoreau’s essay ‘Civil Disobedience’ lays down the different ways in which Civil Disobedience can be observed by the public, the legal limits of observing civil disobedience, and how it should be observed so that it does not turn into mob violence. He is convinced that the Governments are not capable of understanding the needs of the welfare of people, which in this case, is also called collective welfare. Thoreau bases his essay on the main ideas of Martin Luther King, who popularized Civil Disobedience among the African Americans who were demanding equal rights as white citizens in America. His loss of confidence in the government is because he believed the representation of majority does not necessarily mean that they will have embodied the morals of wisdom and justice, and learn about the inequalities and injustice faced by a major section of the society.

Thoreau characterizes the government as an agent of injustice and corruption, and his solution to battle this anomaly is to observe civil disobedience for earning their rights. Both King and Thoreau place emphasis on change and reform, while King emphasized the need for both civil, educational and religious reform so that these discriminations would come to an end. Although their visions for society have some congruence, their perspectives have a stark difference. King’s observing of Civil disobedience proved effective during his time, as segregation and widespread racism were somewhat dislodged to a particular extent, and African Americans were being accorded equal citizenship status as well equal employment and educational opportunities.

Learn more:

1.At the beginning of "the world on turtle's back," why did the husband become "terrified"?

2.How do images or word pictures help you experience a scene in the excerpt the day of destiny

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Chapter: Civil Disobedience by David Thoreau

Subject: English

Keywords:

Civil Disobedience, political connotation, government, incompetence, public, segregation, corruption, incapability of Government, reform, equal opportunities.