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)