Final answer:
The author supports his opinion on Washington's view of freedom and identity by using direct quotes from historical figures and textual evidence from Thoreau's work to build a credible argument.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand how the author supports his opinion about Washington's view of people's freedom and identity, we examine the evidence provided in the text. One method the author uses is by including a direct quote from an Anglican minister's book about George Washington's honesty, sparking reverence for his character. Another method is by summarizing and quoting Henry David Thoreau's work, particularly his 1854 book 'Walden; or Life in the Woods,' which promotes the ideal of living free from societal constraints. Through these summaries and quotations, the author gives credibility to the arguments presented, highlighting the importance of individual freedom and identity as seen by historical figures. The use of textual evidence and historical context provides a balanced perspective, engaging the reader with a mix of analysis and synthesis.