Final answer:
Thoreau uses parallelism in “Resistance to Civil Government” to reinforce his advocacy for passive resistance by structuring his sentences to emphasize key points and employing repetition to underline the government’s role.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry David Thoreau utilizes parallelism in his essay “Resistance to Civil Government” (also known as “Civil Disobedience”) to create rhythm and emphasis in his arguments advocating for passive resistance against governmental policies deemed unjust. Thoreau employs repetition of phrases and themes, such as the government being a constraining antagonist, to highlight the importance of individual conscience and action over conforming to unjust laws. He cleverly crafts sentences where parallel structure emphasizes his key points, much like other orators and authors of his time and later, such as John F. Kennedy as noted in the provided information.
Thoreau's influence on passive resistance is significant, as his actions, including his willing arrest for failing to pay a poll tax, exemplify his commitment to his principles. This act led him to pen “Civil Disobedience,” inspiring global figures like Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Through the use of parallelism and repetition, his writing resonates powerfully, conveying his conviction that true freedom lies in challenging unjust governance through nonviolent means.