Question

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

could imprison him but could never confine his soul.

had the authority to force him to pay the poll tax.

was preparing to imprison others to teach him a lesson.

was angry it could never truly imprison him.

Explanation:

Transcendentalism emphasizes the importance of the individual's spirit/soul and its independence from external forces like the state. The excerpt shows the state punishes his body, but Thoreau’s transcendental beliefs would hold that the state can’t confine his soul. The other options go against transcendental ideas (e.g., the state having authority to force tax, or the state’s anger/imprisoning others to teach a lesson don’t align with soul - body distinction).

Answer:

A. could imprison him but could never confine his soul.