Self Reliance Rhetorical Analysis

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1. Write a thematic statement for the essay “Self-Reliance”. Explain how Emerson's idea of Self-Reliance is different from and similar to the common use of the term (take care of your own needs and don't depend on others outside yourself). Emerson’s idea of self- reliance is different from similar to the common use of the term (take care of your own needs and don’t depend on others outside yourself) Emerson’s idea is similar because the words “self- reliant” is saying take care of your own. When your self reliant or taking care of your own you are dependent and not relying on other people. His idea is different because “self- reliant” is a more sophisticated way of saying “I can hold my own” and or “I can take care of myself.” 2. Give 5 examples of figurative language …show more content…

Would Emerson's ideas as expressed in this essay result in a stronger or weaker government? More or less democracy? Emerson’s ideas as expressed in this essay would result in a weaker government because Emerson wants everybody to think for themselves and not have conformity interrupt that process. He also wants people to do what they want to do when they wan to and not having people tell them what to do. In this essay it would be more democracy because Emerson talks about the importance of having self- confidence. A democracy is more power to the people. 5. Was Emerson a liberal or conservative -- and in what ways? Use evidence from the text to support your answer. Emerson was defiantly a liberal because he focuses a lot on ideas on where every one has freedom and is treated equal. “Spoke not what men but what they thought.” This quote is saying that people have the freedom to speak for themselves and they don’t have to conform into what society wants them to be/do. Civil Disobedience Analysis Questions 1. Consider the historical context of Thoreau’s essay Civil Disobedience. Would it be easier or harder to practice non-conformity today? Give specific examples to support your

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