Thoreau was mentored by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thoreau was thoroughly disgusted when President Polk ". . .[pretended to try] to settle differences at the conference table. Then, without a declaration of war or Congressional approval, U.S. forces plunged into Mexico." He decided not to pay his taxes, because he knew some of that money would be used toward the war. He withdrew to Walden's Pond and from civilization. Then he went to jail for his decision. It was during that night of incarceration that he decided to return to society.

Beautiful play about Henry David Thoreau's life and the circumstances that led to his famous essay, Civil Disobedience. I hope someday to see this on stage. ( )

A very engaging and interesting play highlighting Thoreau's life and primarily his manifestation from hermit at Walden Pond into full-blown civic man, helping to define his philosophy and ideas on/in 'Civil Disobedience'. A great look at a great man. ( )

A play very much of its time (came out in 1970). I'm ashamed to confess that I have never read anything by Thoreau or Emerson and that "transcendentalism" is just a long word to me. So it was enlightening to read this play and learn, not only about the thoughts of both Thoreau and Emerson, but a little about the territorial wars that the US was involved in at that time and Thoreau's act of civil disobedience which was thwarted by those who loved and admired him. What I got from this play is that I really should find a copy of Thoreau and start reading him. ( )

This was an interesting read, and I'd say that the play is benefits from being both read AND seen--not simply one or the other, since I think the two experiences will compliment one another and strengthen the piece with readers/audience. And I enjoyed it for the most part--at times the characters seemed a bit too simple, but for the most part, it was smooth. Yet, I was left wanting a great deal more than what I got.

I think that the authors, simply, tried to cram too much into what needed to be a longer play to meet its potential, and that they were too much focused on ideas and history as opposed to character. It needed a bit more balance. I WANTED to care about Thoreau....but I rarely did, because he seemed more of a mouthpiece or charicature at times than a real person. That hurt the play for me, a great deal. I'd like to see it once, if given the opportunity, but it would be only once, just as I can't imagine wanting to come back to read this work again. Simply, it left me dissatisfied, feeling as if more time and care could have made this a masterpiece, but that as is the piece was lacking in passion and sympathy.

If you're interested, I certainly recommend it, as it is a worthwhile and interesting read--I fear though, that particular readers will feel as I do, that the work's potential just wasn't reached, or even necessarily reached for. ( )