To choose the sentence that best restates Henry David Thoreau's overall claim in his work "Civil Disobedience," consider the central themes and messages of his writing.
Thoreau is known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance against unjust laws and government actions. He argues that individuals should not blindly follow government laws and should act according to their own moral compass. He criticizes governments that support injustice, urging people to stand against such practices.
Based on these ideas, the sentence that best restates Thoreau's overall claim is:
D. People should not support a government that is unjust.
This sentence encapsulates Thoreau's philosophy in "Civil Disobedience," emphasizing the responsibility of individuals to resist and not comply with unjust government practices. He does not call for the complete abolition of all governments, as in option A. Similarly, he does not suggest that the current situation is better or worse than the past, as in option B, nor does he necessarily advocate for outright revolt, as in option C. Instead, his focus is on moral responsibility and conscientious objection to injustice, making option D the best restatement of his overall claim.