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1. Read the following paragraph from "Resistance to Civil
Government" by Henry David Thoreau:
This American government, -what is it but a tradition,
though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself
unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its
integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living
man; for a single man can bend it to his will. It is a sort of
wooden gun to the people themselves. But it is not the
less necessary for this; for the people must have some
complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to satisfy
that idea of government which they have. Governments
show thus how successfully men can be imposed upon,
even impose on themselves, for their own advantage. It is
excellent, we must all allow. Yet this government never of
itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with
which it got
out of its
way. It does not keep the country
free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The
character inherent in the American people has done all
that has been accomplished; and it would have done
somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got
in its way. For government is an expedient, by which men
would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as
has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are
most let alone by it.
Analyze the rhetorical style of this paragraph. How does
the style contribute to the essay's power? In particular,
consider its parallelism and figurative language in
formulating your response. Be sure to include specific
details from the text to support your answer. (10 points)
