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)