Final answer:
Henry David Thoreau's essays 'On the Duty of Civil Disobedience' and 'Walden' highlight two aspects of freedom: resistance to government intervention and living free from societal norms. He advocates for nonviolent protest against unjust laws and suggests a simplified life in harmony with individual principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two parts of Henry David Thoreau's On the Duty of Civil Disobedience that are highlighted in the provided excerpts focus on the concept of individual freedom from two perspectives: governmental interference and societal expectations. Thoreau's work is notable for its advocacy of civil disobedience, which calls for individuals to peacefully resist unjust laws, a principle that influenced leaders like Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
The other aspect of his philosophy entails living a simple life apart from conventional social norms, exemplified by his experience at Walden Pond. Both works together form an intricate picture of Thoreau's definition of freedom and living a life in accordance with one's principles.
In Civil Disobedience, Thoreau begins by stating that "that government is best which governs not at all," setting the stage for his argument against oppressive government actions, such as taxes supporting slavery and war. Through his Walden narrative, Thoreau showcases how one might live a life of deliberate simplicity and freedom from societal constraints, a practical embodiment of the philosophy outlined in his essays.