# Essays explained — Essays

> Chapter companion for Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

## What happens

This chapter collects various essays by Thoreau, exploring themes of individualism, civil disobedience, nature, and critiques of materialism, with reflections on heroism and the role of the writer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civil Disobedience and Justice

Central to Thoreau's essays on slavery and moral duty.

### Individualism and Self-Reliance

Thoreau advocates for personal conscience over societal norms.

## Character check-ins

### Henry David Thoreau

Author and central figure in the essays.

### Captain John Brown

Subject of Thoreau's 'Plea for Captain John Brown'.

### Thomas Carlyle

Subject of Thoreau's essay on Thomas Carlyle.

### Aulus Persius Flaccus

Subject of Thoreau's publication 'Aulus Persius Flaccus'.

### Ossian

Subject of Thoreau's essay on Ossian.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/essays
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_2_se/chapters