Please write a discussion reply for the following discussion. It should be a minimum of 200 words.
In the discussion reply you should say if you agree with your classmate’s perspective? Why or why not? Be specific. What is the most convincing part of your classmate’s post? Why?
Criteria:
• 200 words minimum (excluding quotations and citations)
• Include at least one properly integrated and cited paraphrased quotation to support your claims. See the Literary Analysis Tools Module from this week’s activities for information about integrating and citing quotes.
Discussion # 1
By Fansheng Gao
Yes, I agree with Thoreau’s statement that it is not just our right as Americans, but it is also our duty to defy unjust laws. Similar to Thoreau, I think that the government should always act justly since it will be easier to attract the citizens’ participation and support. However, as long as the government acts unjustly, it is upon the citizens to decide whether to corporate with the government or defy such a form of leadership. The article begins by illustrating this belief in-depth with the story of how the US declared war on Mexico in 1846 (Thoreau, 2017). However, Northern critics, including Thoreau found this plan unjust. Therefore, they protested against such a plot that they felt was an unjust technique to expand the realms of slavery. Thoreau was arrested and spent the night at Concord jail after the local constable arrested him (Thoreau, 2017). This act of protest is an excellent example of civil disobedience, equally illustrated in modern societies.
There should be boundaries to these interventions as illustrated by Thoreau’s principle and challenged by the ethical principles presented in The Cask of Amontillado. Poe elaborates on the dangers of making an unjust decision and the detrimental effects that come with unexpressed emotions. The story begins with a foreboding statement “Fortunato had hurt me a thousand times and I had suffered quietly… I promised myself that I would make him pay for this- that I would revenge.” (Thoreau, 2017, pp. 785). This quote illustrates the importance of early intervention to injustices. Although the story progresses with little shared and much left to the reader’s discretion, it is safe to associate Montresor with injustices, particularly injustices conducted by Fortunato. These injustices led to the loss of family honor and privileges, a realization that made Montresor bitter and eager to execute his revenge against Fortunato out of the belief he conducted these injustices (Poe, 2017). The actions taken by Montresor were premeditated and driven by anger and bitterness. In contrast, Fortunato was unsuspecting and fell right into the trap. Therefore, from this story, it is critical for interventions to be made in time and comprehensively to avoid such retaliations.
References
Poe, E.A. (2017). The cask of amontillado. In R.S. Levine, M. A. Elliott, S. M. Gustafson, A. Hungerford, & M. Loeffelholz (Eds.), The Norton anthology of American literature (Shorter 9th ed.) (Vol. 1, pp. 785-790). Norton. (Original work published 1846).
Thoreau, H.D. (2017). Resistance to civil government. In R.S. Levine, M. A. Elliott, S. M. Gustafson, A. Hungerford, & M. Loeffelholz (Eds.), The Norton anthology of American literature (Shorter 9th ed.) (Vol. 1, pp. 903-918).
