Comparing and Contrasting the Works of Ghandi and Thoreau

When reading Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" and Mohandas Gandhi's "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March," it is plain to see that these two works, although written by two very different authors, are quite similar. However, that is not to say that they are the same because they certainly do contain some large differences. Thoreau reminded readers in his work that passion and action are key to having your voice heard. This is just what he utilized to protest the poll tax and thus, go to jail (Thoreau 222-227). Similarly, Gandhi spoke mainly about his protest against the corrupt monopoly on salt in India (Gandhi 229-230). The two writers' works come from entirely different backgrounds, and they do have some differences in them, but upon closer inspection, the similarities in their writing are very apparent.

The main difference that I noticed between the two topics is the writing style. Is it quite obvious to distinguish the two at a glance mainly because of their influences. On one hand, Thoreau mainly based his writing style off of Transcendentalism and Romanticism. He reveals this style by acting strictly on belief and feeling by evading the poll tax as a means of protest (Thoreau 222-227). This use of feeling is almost non-existent in the work of Gandhi. Also, Thoreau's use of storytelling is unparalleled by Gandhi. Thoreau seems to tell the story of his arrest and jail time as if the piece were some sort of narrative. For instance, Thoreau gives information about his conversations with his cell-mate (Thoreau 226). Gandhi is much more direct and broad as compared to Thoreau's roundabout way of informing the reader of his protest. Thoreau gives many of his thoughts and feelings (Thoreau 222-227) whereas Gandhi has more facts and persuasive language in his speech (Gandhi 229-230). Because of this, Gandhi's speech is much stronger and more aggressive. However, the way it is spoken is much more gentle and filled with feeling. One of these two works is certainly not better than the other, they are simply written differently.

Although the two men come from completely different backgrounds, much of their writing is quite similar. The main similarity that I noticed in the two works was the basic subject matter. Each man was protesting something whether it be the poll tax or the salt trade. Of course, Thoreau's protest is in the past, and Gandhi's will happen the following day, but this does not change their ideals. Thoreau speaks of the injustice served by the use of the poll tax, and because of this injustice, he does not pay his poll tax (Thoreau 222-227). Thoreau spends most of his essay discussing how wrong it is to charge somoebody concerning something they are not a part of. Gandhi's views are very similar but in a slightly altered sense. Gandhi's work is centered more around the ruling aspect related to the salt trade (Ghandi 229-230) rather than specific government policy, but nevertheless he still speaks of a great injustice being served to the people.

Between the two pieces "Civil Disobedience" and "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March" written by Thoreau and Gandhi respectively, it is clear to see the differences, and yet they are strikingly similar. The writing styles differ in both men's essays mainly because of the points they wish to convey and their influences affecting thier style. Conversely, they share a common interest about great injustices whether it be about the slat trade or the poll tax. Each writer is very passionate about their beliefs.

Works Cited

Gandhi, Mahatma. "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March." American Literature. Comp. Jeffory Willhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 229-30. Print.

Thoreau, Henry D. "Civil Disobedience." American Literature. Comp. Jeffory Willhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 222-27. Print.