A Plea for Captain John Brown Summary and Analysis

In October, 1859, the abolitionist John Brown led 21 others in a raid at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, taking several local people hostage and seizing the US arsenal. His intention was to build an army that would free slaves and create an army that would fight to end slavery. Brown was captured and sentenced to death for his actions. While Brown was imprisoned and awaiting execution, Thoreau delivered an address in Concord on the man.

Thoreau's address defends Brown's actions and condemns slavery. He also criticizes the federal government and the government of Massachusetts for supporting slavery, and the political parties and newspapers of the day for acting in their own interests and not in the interest of citizens. Thoreau is particularly critical of the way in which many newspapers characterize Brown's intentions.

Throeau...