Contrasting Thoreau and Gandhi

Thoreau was a prominent Romanticist poet. He wrote commendable poems commonly during the 1800's. Romanticism, a much more spiritual and radical writing form, which differed from the former Rationalism period. Rationalism retained a more straight-forward and intellectual source to obtain readers. This common writing style made up much of the prior period to the Romanticism era. Rationalism often used reason to obtain its strong support. Writers such as Franklin commonly used Rationalism to convey their points. Romanticism is a more spiritually based writing period. This period retained much respect during its formation. Although Romanticism contained nature, death, and spiritual connection, it lacked common logic and reason. This was not typically a negative aspect though. Religious influence was also more common in Romanticist pieces then that of a Rationalist piece. Because of this, some religious relations were reconnected again. Thoreau's early work displays this Romanticist style of writing.

Morals were often questioned in Romanticist pieces. Various pieces used this questioning to obtain support. These morally conflicting issues would determine a more definitive differentiation between Romanticism and other writing periods. Gandhi commonly used this to obtain support from his audience. If something was morally conflicting, then it would be socially acceptable to disregard the law that was set forth with no thought on morals. Gandhi displays his objection toward the law in On the Eve of Historic Dandi March: "Wherever possible, civil disobedience of salt laws should be started. These laws can be violated in three ways" (Gandhi). This displays Gandhi's strong disregard toward the law. Because of this statement, many can agree that Gandhi, like Thoreau, commonly used an action like this to display true Romanticism and morally acceptable pieces. Gandhi is well known for his unconventional actions and radical activism. This radical activism can also be related to a more Romanticist style of living. Thoreau and Gandhi both initiated a strong liberal stance.

Gandhi was a more national and strong political figure. He typically had a strong support base. This support base greatly improved his stance and political prominence in India. Although Gandhi used his supporters to his advantage, he would not have been as successful without them. This differs from Thoreau, who had a more independent relationship with his ideals and theories. Thoreau did not obtain the use of a strong support base. Because of this, his actions could be slightly more commendable. In this excerpt from Civil Disobedience, Thoreau displays his independent stance in politics and literature. "I have paid no poll-tax for six years. I was put into a jail once on this account, for one night; and as I stood considering the walls of solid stone, two or three feet thick, the door of wood and iron, a foot thick, and the iron grating which strained the light, I could not help being struck with the foolishness of that institution which treated me as if I were mere flesh and blood and bones, to be locked up" (Thoreau). Although I commend Thoreau for his independent stance, I feel that both figures successfully displayed the conflict regarding morals and values. Again, this conflict displayed the figure's ability to convey Romanticism outside of literature.



Gandhi, Mohandas. "One the Eve of Historic Dandi March." American Literature. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 229-230. Print.

Thoreau, Henry David. "Civil Disobedience." American Literature. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 222-227. Print.