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Kayla Whitty

Literature & Composition

Mr. Pace

May 22, 2023

Civil Disobedience

In the excerpt from Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" and Arthur Miller’s

play "The Crucible," the act of rebelling against societal norms and disobeying authority is

justified in cases where it protects people's civil liberties or their identities. However, it is

important to note that this does not imply that going against the law remains unpunished, even if

it is believed to be for the greater good.

The concept of civil liberties should be defined by the laws within a country, and

individuals should have the right to stand up against any injustices they face. Thoreau questions

the government's lack of encouragement for citizens to point out its faults and suggests that

challenging a government that restricts civil liberties is essential to being a good citizen

(Thoreau, 2). Rebelling against societal norms is how societal change is brought about, and those

who fight for change continue to inspire others. While laws are meant to be upheld within a

nation, there are circumstances that may convince individuals to defy them. In "The Crucible,"

characters struggle with feelings of mistrust, lack of freedom, and powerlessness over their

futures. Many people in the town are accused of witchcraft without concrete evidence, and

Reverend Hale disobeys the court by sitting and praying with those who have been condemned

(Miller, Act 4, 123). Hale's actions demonstrate his lack of faith in the judges' ability to identify

those who are truly guilty. He defies the rulings of the court to provide comfort and a glimmer of
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hope to those who have been wrongfully accused. Both sources, "Civil Disobedience" and "The

Crucible," reinforce the instances where it may be acceptable to go against written laws or

societal norms. When individuals believe that they or other citizens are not receiving their

unalienable rights, it is expected that they do everything in their power to ensure that everyone is

treated as human beings at the very least.

In many cases, individuals may lie to protect themselves or those close to them, even if

telling the truth would have been beneficial in the long run. In "The Crucible," there are laws and

customs that may not be as common in contemporary times, but citizens are expected to abide by

them. Elizabeth Proctor, for example, lies to the court in order to protect her husband's reputation

(Miller, Act 3, 113). By lying, Elizabeth goes against the rules regarding perjury in a court of law

to shield her and her husband's identities. Thoreau writes about the government and emphasizes

the importance of standing up against injustice. He suggests that if abiding by a law requires an

individual to participate in injustice towards others, then that law should be broken (Thoreau, 2).

Thoreau encourages individuals to act as a counter-friction to stop the machine of injustice.

Every person belongs to a community, and it is their duty to stand up for justice and not comply

with systems of injustice, regardless of the community's size.

Both Thoreau and Elizabeth justify their actions based on the expected outcomes.

Elizabeth, unaware of John's attempt to save her, lies to protect her husband's reputation as she

believes it is her duty as a married person, even though telling the truth could have saved her.

Thoreau argues that abiding by unjust laws makes individuals complicit in the injustice suffered

by others, and going against the government may be the only way to protect one's unalienable

rights.
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Rebelling against societal norms or laws set by community leaders is justified when authority

restricts citizens' unalienable rights or when individuals seek to protect their own identities and

reputations. Thoreau and Miller provide instances where people defy the law or go against

societal standards, and in these instances, justifications can always be found. However, it is

essential to consider the limits to which one can go in order to continue justifying their actions.
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Work Cited

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. Penguin Books, 2011.

Thoreau, Henry David. “Civil Disobedience.” 1849.