Final answer:
Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau both emphasize the theme of individualism and personal freedom in their work. While Dickinson's poems focus on personal identity, Thoreau's writings, including "Civil Disobedience", advocate for resistance against injustice and living according to one's beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
One main idea that Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau share is the value they place on individualism and personal freedom. While Dickinson's poems explore the inner world and the identity of the self, often disconnected from society, Thoreau's works, such as “Resistance to Civil Government” (also known as "Civil Disobedience") and Walden, focus on the external actions of living freely and resisting unjust governmental control. The concept of individualism is evident in Dickinson's poetic treatment of personal perspective and the self as independent from the broader social order, while Thoreau's emphasis on the right to resist authority aligns with his advocacy for individual freedoms and living in accordance with one's personal beliefs.
Examining specific examples, Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" promotes the principle of standing up against governmental injustice, as when he states, "All men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable." This aligns with Dickinson's frequent exploration of the self and its existence beyond societal norms, as seen in poems where she delves into the nature of the soul and personal consciousness. Both authors encourage readers to think beyond the boundaries of society and assert their personal freedom, suggesting a deeper connection with the self and nature than with the constructs of government and society.