Thoreau uses anaphora in the phrase "It does not keep the country free; it does not settle the west; it does not educate," which emphasizes the failings of the government. This rhetorical device is part of his high rhetoric strategy to advocate for individual freedom and critique government, as seen in his works "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" and "Walden".
The rhetorical device that Thoreau uses in the phrase "it does not keep the country free; it does not settle the west; it does not educate" is anaphora. Anaphora is a rhetorical device characterized by the repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. In this case, Thoreau repeats the phrase "it does not" to emphasize the limitations or failures of the subject he is critiquing, likely the government based on the thematic context. This technique serves to heighten the impact of his message and evoke a sense of urgency or importance.
Thoreau's use of anaphora is part of his broader strategy of employing high rhetoric to critique the government and advocate for individual freedom. This stylistic choice reinforces his arguments presented in works such as "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" and "Walden; or Life in the Woods", where he explores the concept of living free from governmental and social constraints. The effectiveness of Thoreau's rhetorical strategies, like the use of anaphora, continues to inspire readers and has shown lasting influence on figures promoting nonviolent resistance to injustice.