Sunday 17 May 2015

In The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, how does Henry's non-conforming beliefs help convey the theme of the play?

Henry's non- conforming beliefs in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail enhance the play's theme of freedom.


Freedom is one of the most important themes in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.  Henry's non- conformist beliefs is one way to communicate this.  Henry continually speaks of the need to be free in both thought and action:


If one honest man in this state of Massachusetts had the conviction and the courage to withdraw from...

Henry's non- conforming beliefs in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail enhance the play's theme of freedom.


Freedom is one of the most important themes in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.  Henry's non- conformist beliefs is one way to communicate this.  Henry continually speaks of the need to be free in both thought and action:



If one honest man in this state of Massachusetts had the conviction and the courage to withdraw from this unholy partnership and let himself be locked up in the County Jail, it'd be the start of more true freedom than we've seen since a few farmers had the guts to block the British by the bridge up the road.



The quote above shows the importance of Henry's unwillingness to follow the majority.  Another moment where Henry's non- conformity amplifies the theme of freedom is when he tells Ellen to "stand up" against her father's efforts to control her and her brother's education.  Through his insistence that Ellen "stand up for herself," Henry shows his passion towards independence of thought.


In the drama, the theme of freedom is enhanced through Henry's commitment to own voice.  Henry consistently speaks of not being a "slave." This is shown in the drama as being free to think and act in a way that reflects a person's conscience.  Henry embodies this in his non- conformist ways.   

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