In King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," some of Thoreau's ideas of civil disobedience are prevalent. In the letter, King recognizes that the problem of segregation is hindered most by the white men. He did not look to violence to spread his message, but peaceful protests. Though Thoreau lived more than 100 years before the time of King, his thinking remained influential. Thoreau's Civil Disobedience talks about politics, government and the issues concerning these areas today. Individualism is stressed throughout his writing. He believes that one should stand up for what you believe in and not bend backwards for the government. Both "Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham" recognize society's injustices. Thoreau's greatest thoughts in "Civil Disobedience" emerge in King's letter, revealing society's weaknesses.

Thoreau's transcendental ideas in "Civil Disobedience," are prominent in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from...