The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail

Reading Guide

Act I

1. What do the following things suggest about Thoreau’s personality and attitude toward life?

“I [Thoreau] have gone and not done something.”

“He [Thoreau] worked on Sundays, and took the rest of the week off.”

“Must the alphabet start with A? Why not with Z?”

His mother calls him David Henry; he calls himself Henry David.

2. Explain the meaning of Emerson’s statement, “Cast conformity behind you.”

3. Thoreau went to Harvard. Why didn’t he get a diploma?

4. Thoreau says he learned more from one man who was not a professor than from all his teachers. Thoreau

idolizes this man and wants to be like him. Who is he?

5. Thoreau slaps the ground and asks John if “this is the Earth.” What does Thoreau say it is? What

Transcendental idea is he defining?

6. Thoreau says that he will “think for a while. That’ll be a change from college.” Explain the irony of this

statement.

7. According to what Thoreau tells Bailey, what is the reason Thoreau is in jail?

8. According to Bailey, why is he in jail?

9. Bailey has been in jail three months without a trial. What is Thoreau’s response when Bailey says, “Don’t make

a ruckus; I’m not a troublemaker”?

10. After hearing some footsteps, Thoreau says the person is “going where he’s supposed to go, so he can be

where he’s supposed to be, at the time he’s supposed to be there. So he’ll be liked.” According to Thoreau,

what do we have to give up if we want to be liked?

11. What does Thoreau teach Bailey to do?

12. Thoreau explains to Deacon Ball that the class is huckleberrying. Explain what huckleberrying is.

13. What literary philosophy does Deacon Ball best represent?

14. What metaphor does Thoreau use to explain the concept of believing in the existence of God to a student who

doubts because he has no tangible proof of His existence?

15. Why does Deacon Ball insist that Thoreau flog several students?

16. When Deacon Ball threatens to fire Thoreau, his brother John urges Thoreau to apologize. Why? Is that a

good reason?

17. Thoreau resigns his position as teacher in the public schools. Earlier, Emerson had resigned his position as

pastor of the Second Unitarian Church of Boston. How are these situations similar?

18. According to John, what is all a school needs?

19. Henry says that “nobody can teach anybody anything.” What is John’s reply?

20. Henry and John decide to create a school with “no buildings.” Why?

21. How does Thoreau react when he discovers Ellen taking notes?

22. Why is Edmund no longer attending the Thoreau brothers’ school?

23. What does Thoreau say about conservation? What are people doing to nature?

24. How does Thoreau use Ellen’s love for her father to explain Transcendentalism?

25. Explain the analogy of the lake that Thoreau uses to explain Transcendentalism.

26. Does Thoreau think that one can get valuable advice from others? Explain.

27. Why does Thoreau thank Concord for locking him up in jail?

28. While John and Ellen attend church with Mrs. Thoreau, the Emersons, and Deacon Ball, what is Thoreau seen

doing?

29. When John asks Ellen to marry him, what is her answer? What is Thoreau’s reaction? What do the brothers

conclude?

30. What happens to John?

31. For whom does Thoreau begin to work? What work will he do, and how does he wish to be paid?

32. Lydian says to Waldo, “Not many people will understand that young man. He doesn’t want anything.” Waldo

replies, “Perhaps he wants too much.” What is it that Thoreau wants too much of?

33. Why does Thoreau leave Walden for a trip into town?

34. Who is Sam Staples? Why is Thoreau sent to jail?

35. Although Sam offers to pay Thoreau’s taxes for him, Henry refuses, saying, “I will not pay one copper penny

to an unjust government!” What does Thoreau feel is unjust?

36. Although others tell Thoreau that he must obey the law, Thoreau replies, “What law ever made men free? Men

have got to make the law free. And if a law is wrong . . . it’s the duty of man to stand up and say so.” What

famous example from history does Thoreau use to support his point of view?

37. Thoreau says, “What the government of this country is doing turns my stomach. And if I just keep my mouth

shut, I’m a criminal to my Conscience. To my God . To society, And to you, Sam Staples.” What does

Thoreau mean?

38. When Emerson asks Thoreau why he is in jail, what is Thoreau’s response? Why does he ask him this?

ACT II

1. Why does Thoreau feel that the government has failed to make him a prisoner? Why does he still feel free?

2. What wish does Edward express to both Thoreau and his mother?

3. Why has Thoreau put gloves on the chickens?

4. Who is Williams? Where is he going? What does their conversation reveal about Thoreau’s beliefs?

5. Henry says, “There’s slavery in the North, too. Every man shackled to a ten-hour-a-day job is a work-slave.

Every man who has to worry about next month’s rent is a money-slave.” Explain Thoreau’s thoughts.

6. What happens to Williams after he leaves Walden?

7. Thoreau says to Emerson, “I expect more from you than from anybody else; that’s why I’m more disappointed

in you.” Why is Thoreau disappointed in Emerson?

8. In response, what complaint does Emerson have against Thoreau?

9. Why doesn’t Emerson speak to the crowd?

10. Thoreau falls into a nightmare. What does he dream about?

11. Who pays Thoreau’s taxes?

12. What demand does Thoreau make before he leaves the jail?

13. Thoreau tells Bailey, “Seems to me, I’ve got several more lives to live. And I don’t know if I can spare

anymore time for that one.” What does Thoreau mean?

14. Explain Thoreau’s cruise metaphor.

15. What does Thoreau mean when he tells Bailey, “It’s not necessary to be there in order to be there?”