The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail

     I have no idea why at this very moment, but I LOVE it!! That just about sums it up. If you don't like to read all of what I wrote, it's longer than usual, so you can just stop there because that's all that's important. At first I thought it would be very depressing, considering that it sounds like just the night he spent in jail. (This is before I had even opened it) However, I found it really amazing! If I told you all my favorite parts, I would be listing most of the book. I love how crazy he is, because when he says it, it no longer seems so crazy! And even when he doesn't sound like he makes much sense, I listen anyway He teaches Bailey to write, and then he gets angry that he can write his name and tells him to un-learn it. B-A-Beanpole-Turn the Corner-Comb-Tree! I also really loved the teaching thing with the audience, and the whole conversation with the Deacon.
     The weird thing is, I have this really clear image of the set in my head. I can see how it all works, except for the part where he's in the boat with Ellen. That has always been clearer in my mind as in a movie, not sitting on a stage in a boat, which bothers me, because it would seem very pathetic to sit in a boat on the middle of the stage and clunk the oars against the ground every so often, because he obvious isn't going anywhere. So for that part I forgot about the 'play' part of it.
     One thing I like about him is, like I sort of mentioned, is that he says and does strange things, and yet it doesn't make you think worse of him. For example, when he has the whole in the shoe, he walks with one shoe on and one shoe in his hand and salutes people with it. Then he takes the order to arrest him and sticks it in his shoe. Everything he does is strange, but at the same time, I accept that as the way he is, and it doesn't bother me at all.
     He's brave enough to laugh in even in a bad situation. He can be in trouble, and yet he'll still be calm. That's what makes him better: he defends his opinions well. With the Deacon, he tells him exactly what he thinks, even if the man clearly disagrees. He only gives in to save his job. He even struggles to whip the students in the room! He seems like an almost unreal person. He cares deeply about all people (which gets him in jail), and he stands by that, even when he could get out of it. (I thought that conversation where Bailey asks him why he's in jail was just wonderful, by the way.) He also has these great ideas, and he can say exactly what he means. At the same time, he seems sort of normal. He does things with his brother, he has a sense of humor, he falls in love with Ellen. (Deacon: We've been feeding our souls! Henry: How selfish of you.")
     Some of the best things are with his brother, John. He seems to really understand Henry, and accepts his name is backwards, and he sort of shares his sense of humor. They are probably my two favorite people in the play. I actually don't like Ellen that much, she always seems sort of dumb compared to the brothers. (I'm sure she wasn't but she doesn't seem to share his intelligence) And then she turns out to be mean to Henry on their little boat trip. I would have been perfectly happy if John had married her, but I was happier when John comes running in, and you think he's all happy because she said "Yes" and then he say that she really didn't!
     One thing I didn't realize, but really appreciate is that it's not fictional. I was reading about how John died of lockjaw, which must have been impossible for Henry, and it was strange because it happened in the book. Henry did get a sympathetic illness (lockjaw) after John's death. I also read that he died in Henrys' arms. That must have been hard for him, but meaningful at the same time. I guess Ellen seems a little more impressive after his death, but I still liked John better.
     And finally, the time he spends at the Emerson's. I think it must have been amazing for him, considering Emerson was basically his hero, but I thought it might be a little weird for him to show up at his house and ask to be a handyman. "The weeds are at war with the marigolds..." But I hope it was good for the man.
     But I really do love this play. It's mostly just the way Henry is, but it's still amazing. Here's another piece I liked. First of all, it made me laugh. Second of all, he becomes serious in a second, and he wants Ellen to be herself, and he ties it in with the meadow!

Ellen: When you go to school, you're supposed to write things down, so you remember what you've been taught.

Henry: Then it's the notebook that does the remembering, not you.

Ellen: You keep a notebook.

Henry: I also wear a ridiculous straw hat. That doesn't mean that you should wear a ridiculous hat. You'd look ridiculous in it. Nature didn't stuff this meadow full of identical blades of grass, each an imitation of another. They're all different! Follow-the-leader is not the game we're playing here! Young lady, BE YOUR OWN MAN!