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In the play, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, Thoreau examines several different ways in which individuals interact with society. One of them is individualism. Individualism is the idea that all values people hold, rights they have, and duties to be performed should originate from or within an individual.
Of greater importance is the idea that individualism is based on altruism, rather than egoism. Altruism is the performance of acts that are motivated by selflessness, for the benefit of others. Egoistic acts, on the other hand, are acts based on self-interest. If self-interest is based on selfish motives then it is a destructive thing, not positive. In the novel, Thoreau's acts and conversations showed that he was an individualist. An example of this is the conversation between Thoreau and Deacon Nehemiah Ball, the chairman of the Concord School Committee.
The argument took place when Ball saw Thoreau wasnt teaching his students from the schoolbooks that were given to him. Ball was emphatic that the lessons must be taught out of the books proscribed by the School Committee rather than using the teaching method created by Thoreau, called huckleberry ing. Thoreau claimed that his students have the ache of curiosity which he felt was not cured by the text provided. He believed in the value of education and the students right to be taught well.
Therefore, he felt it was his right and obligation to teach using the methods he thought best for the students. In this way Thoreau demonstrated individualism. He then mocked the chairman by saying to the students, K shall stick to the approved books. You must not listen to a cricket or smell a flower that has not been approved by the School Committee. Youd better close both ears and hold your nose though you may have to grow an extra hand to do it. (pg. 21).
Thoreau believed people could learn more knowledge not only from the textbooks but also from nature and other things. Thoreau demonstrates altruistic individualism in another section where, after arguing Mr. Ball, he is considering giving an apology. He asked, Why should I? (pg. 23).
The answer was that if he didnt, he would be fired and the students would suffer as a result. Even though he didnt want to compromise, he apologized for the benefit of the students. In this case, Thoreau demonstrated individualism by acting in a way he felt was going to produce greatest amount for the greatest number of people. Individualism is the idea that a persons actions are determined by the individual and that they should benefit others. I believe it is valid and applicable in todays society. If the values held, and actions performed were not generally for the benefit of society then, the society would collapse Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Thoreau Demonstrated Individualism Individualism Is The Idea Students
