Final answer:
Thoreau described his night in jail as 'like traveling into a far country' because he saw the experience as transformative, where he practiced civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance. The jail symbolized a departure from society, allowing him to express his strong individualism and stand by his convictions. Option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thoreau described his night in jail 'like traveling into a far country' because he viewed the jail as a transformative experience. The phrase suggests a journey to a place of different values and norms, which for Thoreau represented the opportunity to stand by his principles and practice civil disobedience. His choice to accept arrest rather than comply with an unjust law was a conscious act of protest, illustrating his advocacy for individual freedom and nonviolent resistance.
Through this experience, he sought to prove a point by living in accordance with his values, even if it meant isolation from society and enduring imprisonment. His imprisonment was both a literal and metaphorical journey to a place where he could demonstrate the power of his convictions and inspire change. Fundamentally, the jail became a far country as it symbolized a space removed from societal norms, where Thoreau could express his individualism.