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:

A. was angry it could never truly imprison him. B.had the authority to force him to pay the poll tax. C.was preparing to imprison others to teach him a lesson. D.could imprison him but could never confine his soul.

Based on his transcendental beliefs, Thoreau most likely believed that the state: D.could imprison him but could never confine his soul.

Transcendental beliefs placed emphasis in spirituality and the ability of a person to connect to God. They believed in the power of a person's intuition and the importance of nature.

Given this belief and the statement from Thoreau, we can deduce that Thoreau believed that the state could harm him physically through imprisonment but cannot touch his soul.

So, option D is right.

Learn more about transcendental beliefs here:

link

D). Could imprison him but could never confine his soul.

Explanation:

As per the given description, Thoreau most likely possessed a belief that the state 'could imprison him but could never confine his soul' on the basis of his transcendental beliefs which he has portrayed in his famous work 'Civil Disobedience'. He believed that the political authorities as well as controlled religion destroys the individual' purity, faith, and self-reliance. This idea of him is reflected when he asserts that 'they could not reach me, they had resolved to punish the body, ..but can't come to those who've a spite' which implies that the authorities cannot restrict his individuality or soul. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

the underlined phrase is an example of : understatment