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How were Thoreau's perceptions of his fellow citizens changed by his night in jail?

A. He gained a deeper understanding of their struggles.
B. He became more sympathetic to their perspectives.
C. He developed a sense of camaraderie with them.
D. He became disillusioned with their lack of support.

User Mitzy
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Final answer:

Henry David Thoreau's night in jail led to disillusionment with his fellow citizens due to their lack of support, reflected in his essay 'Civil Disobedience'. His experiences reinforced his advocacy for individual freedoms and resistance to unjust governance. The correct option is D. He became disillusioned with their lack of support.

Step-by-step explanation:

The experience of Henry David Thoreau's night in jail drastically altered his perception of his fellow citizens, ultimately leading to his disillusionment with their lack of support for his stance against the government. His arrest for his refusal to pay the poll tax was not simply an act of defiance against a government that supported slavery and the Mexican-American War, but also a litmus test of civil society's solidarity with just causes. His seminal essay, Civil Disobedience, reflects this realization; rather than feeling a sense of camaraderie or deeper understanding of people's struggles, Thoreau was struck by their complacency and unwillingness to stand up against injustice.

Answer D, 'He became disillusioned with their lack of support,' fits Thoreau's changed perception after his night in jail. His writings, particularly Civil Disobedience and Walden, continue to inspire individuals advocating for civil liberties and environmentalism, demonstrating the enduring impact of his call to live life on one's own terms and to resist unjust governance. The correct option is D. He became disillusioned with their lack of support.

User Magicgregz
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