"The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" is a play written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. This theatrical work, first staged in 1970, explores the life and philosophy of the famous American transcendentalist writer, Henry David Thoreau. The play is set against the backdrop of Thoreau's night of imprisonment for refusing to pay taxes in protest against the Mexican-American War and slavery.
Throughout the play, Lawrence and Lee use Thoreau's time in jail as a framing device to delve into various aspects of his life, beliefs, and the social and political context of the 19th century. Thoreau's commitment to civil disobedience and individual conscience is a central theme, reflecting his strong opposition to unjust laws and his belief in the moral responsibility of the individual.
"The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" is a thought-provoking exploration of Thoreau's ideas, combining historical events with imaginative storytelling to illuminate the principles that drove this influential figure in American literature and philosophy.
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