Read the excerpt from "Civil Disobedience." As they could not reach me, they had resolved to punish my body; just as boys, if they cannot come at some person against whom they have a spite, will abuse his dog. Based on his transcendental beliefs, Thoreau most likely believed that the state
Answer
A
was angry it could never truly imprison him.
B
could imprison him but could never confine his soul.
C
had the authority to force him to pay the poll tax.
D
was preparing to imprison others to teach him a lesson.
Explanation
Thoreau compares the state’s punishment of his body to boys taking out their anger on someone’s dog because they cannot reach the person they dislike. This suggests that physical imprisonment cannot control his inner self or beliefs. Choice B, that the state could imprison him but never confine his soul, best reflects his transcendental beliefs.
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