# Freedom and Slavery in Essays

> Theme guide for Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

The theme of freedom versus slavery is pervasive, addressing both literal chattel slavery and metaphorical forms of bondage, such as conformity, materialism, and submission to unjust government.

## Where it surfaces

- [Herald of Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/herald-of-freedom): Central theme of the chapter, focusing on the abolitionist cause and the critique of slavery through Rogers' writings and the Princeton incident.
- [Wendell Phillips Before the Concord Lyceum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/wendell-phillips-before-the-concord-lyceum): The chapter directly addresses the evils of slavery, the complicity of Church and State, and the courage needed to oppose it.
- [On the Duty of Civil Disobedience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/on-the-duty-of-civil-disobedience): Thoreau directly critiques the government for permitting slavery and calls for resistance to such oppression.
- [Slavery in Massachusetts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/slavery-in-massachusetts): The central issue of the chapter: the enslavement of African Americans and the moral enslavement of Northern citizens who comply with unjust laws.
- [Life Without Principle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/life-without-principle): Thoreau questions the value of political freedom without moral freedom, and criticizes commerce that extends slavery.
- [A Plea for Captain John Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/a-plea-for-captain-john-brown): The entire speech centers on the fight for the liberation of slaves and the condemnation of the institution of slavery as a profound wrong.
- [After the Death of John Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/after-the-death-of-john-brown): John Brown's fight against slavery is the implicit context; the speech honors his sacrifice for freedom.
- [The Last Days of John Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/the-last-days-of-john-brown): The chapter directly addresses the institution of slavery and Brown's role in liberating slaves, both literally and symbolically, while critiquing the servile education tolerated under tyranny.
- [Walking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/walking): Thoreau emphasizes the liberty to live as superior to all laws, and critiques the constraints of civilization.
- [IV: The Walls of Quebec](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/iv-the-walls-of-quebec): Thoreau implies that the fortifications oppress the mind, and the Scottish settler's disappointment with British rule touches on themes of political freedom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/themes/freedom_and_slavery
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/themes