Rebellion on the screen

Breaking Bad: Portrayal of Civil Disobedience

In the TV show “Breaking Bad,” the main character, Walter White, portrays civil disobedience. Originally, White decided to manufacture and sell methamphetamine for his family to gain financial security. This is civil disobedience as it goes against both societal norms and the law. Though, his actions have severe consequences that show civil disobedience as a poor choice.

Morally wrong

Walter White being apart of the criminal world leads him to develop negative characteristics. He becomes manipulative, loses empathy, and ruthlessly harms others. This is all done due to him being involved with selling drugs. His moral deterioration shows civil disobedience erasing one’s ethical boundaries. White’s original attempt at breaking the law to benefit his loved ones turns into him harming his family,

Personal Consequences

Walter White’s plan backfires on him as the consequences of his actions negatively affect his family as well. His criminal activities endanger his wife, son, and daughter. As he becomes more involved in the criminal world, his family lives under threats of violence from both rival drug dealers and law enforcement. Living in constant fear harms his family’s mental health and well-being.

Loss of control

Walter White also experiences a loss of control over his life. Entangling himself into criminal activities means he can’t distance himself from that world anymore. His control over the situation vanishes as he is no longer able to have a say in networks and rivalries. He also loses control over his character as he resorts to using people as pawns to help his criminal works.

Connection to class: I wanted to challenge Henry David Thoreau’s essay on Civil Disobedience. He influences his audience about civil disobedience’s importance and how citizens should develop their own conscience. I used an example of realism to show how there is an extent to civil disobedience. Disobeying the law can only benefit citizens so much as it can end up contradicting their intentions the way it did with Walter White.