Passive Resistance

Definition

Passive resistance is a nonviolent strategy where individuals or groups oppose authority or injustice through peaceful means rather than through physical confrontation. This form of resistance often seeks to draw attention to an issue and can include civil disobedience, refusal to comply with unjust laws, and other non-aggressive tactics. In the context of short fiction and novellas, especially in works by Melville, this concept can illustrate characters’ struggles against societal norms or oppressive systems without resorting to violence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Melville's stories, characters often engage in passive resistance as a means to confront societal expectations and injustices they face.
2. This form of resistance can highlight the internal conflict within characters as they balance personal morals against societal pressures.
3. Melville uses passive resistance to explore themes of individuality and the struggle against conformity within his narratives.
4. Characters employing passive resistance may embody the tension between acceptance and rebellion, reflecting Melville's critique of social norms.
5. The effectiveness of passive resistance in Melville's works often raises questions about the nature of authority and the consequences of defying it peacefully.

Review Questions

• How does passive resistance manifest in Melville's characters and their struggles within society?
  • In Melville's narratives, passive resistance often appears as characters confront societal norms that conflict with their personal beliefs. This can be seen in their reluctance to conform to expectations or their subtle acts of defiance that challenge authority. Through these actions, Melville illustrates the complexities of individual morality versus societal pressure, revealing deeper insights into human nature and resilience.
• What role does passive resistance play in shaping the themes of individuality and conformity in Melville's short fiction?
  • Passive resistance serves as a crucial mechanism for exploring themes of individuality and conformity in Melville's works. By depicting characters who choose nonviolent means of protest against societal norms, Melville emphasizes the value of personal integrity and moral courage. This tension highlights the struggle between maintaining one’s identity and succumbing to external pressures, ultimately leading readers to reflect on the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs.
• Evaluate how Melville's use of passive resistance in his short fiction reflects broader social critiques of his time.
  • Melville's portrayal of passive resistance not only emphasizes individual struggle but also serves as a critique of the societal structures of his era. By illustrating characters who resist authority through peaceful means, he addresses issues such as oppression, injustice, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. This nuanced depiction encourages readers to consider the effectiveness and ethical implications of nonviolent resistance as a response to systemic issues, resonating with contemporary movements for social change.

Related terms

Civil Disobedience: The active refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government or occupying international power, often in a nonviolent way.

Moral Resistance: The act of opposing injustice based on moral beliefs, often manifesting as nonviolent protests or ethical stances against wrongdoing.

Nonviolent Protest: A method of protest that seeks to achieve goals through symbolic acts, civil disobedience, and other peaceful tactics rather than through violence.