Midnight Rising

Explore the ethical implications of Brown’s violent approach to ending enslavement. Was his raid on Harpers Ferry justified as a means to an ethical end, or does it represent a moral failing in its use of violence? Consider the historical context of abolitionism and the broader struggle for civil rights.

Research and discuss how perceptions of Brown have shifted from the time of his raid to the present. Analyze factors contributing to the changing views on Brown’s legacy, including cultural, political, and social developments.

Examine the relationship between Thoreau’s pacifist philosophy and his support for Brown’s violent actions. How does Thoreau reconcile these seemingly contradictory stances, and what does this say about the complexities of moral and ethical convictions?