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Self-Reliance Ralph Waldo Emerson response essay
Transcendentalism philosophers
Transcendentalism philosophers
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Anyone living in today’s world will feel a deep connection while reading two particular texts from the American Renaissance, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance (1841) and Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience (1849). These two texts describe not only Transcendentalist ideal’s but specifically how people of the time period could utilize them for their own benefit. These two authors, although mentor and student, followed their individualism and created unique and significant works while building off of each others ideas. Although these two texts make arguments on different subjects (society and government) the underlying theme remains quite similar. In both Emerson’s, Self-Reliance, and Thoreau's, Civil Disobedience, there is a shared …show more content…
The ideas of these lectures were written out in his 1841 collection Essays: First Series which included his most famous essay, Self-Reliance. He uses his essay to express the importance of the individual over the whole. Emerson states Quote “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind” (Emerson, Ralph W. Self Reliance. p.541) Emerson uses the idea of hidden, untapped genius of the individual to pivot over to non conformist ideals. He believes that the two are one and the same, in order to unlock ones full potential one must first rid themselves of social norm and expectation. His text brought about radical new ideas for the time period, when tradition and religion were the pillars of community. To challenge them was to challenge the people themselves, a necessary yet isolating method. He follows along this theme of nonconformity in order to introduce the populace to ideas outside of their comfort …show more content…
Emerson’s consistency argument shows that people become so blinded by their allegiances that they can actively fight their own growth. While Thoreau's similar accusation of government show their forced sacrifice of public good in favor of their own comfort. The lessons these texts seem to impart, are the importance of the journey of the self, because if the individual does not have a clear sense of self, they will lose themselves to society corruptions. The individual will be lost, either to pray for a god given by another, days spent working for the benefit of a government that exploits them, or simple fear in the streets because society deemed the world unsafe. These texts help us find the goodness in the individual and recognize the evil that society brings to their
An influential literary movement in the nineteenth century, transcendentalism placed an emphasis on the wonder of nature and its deep connection to the divine. As the two most prominent figures in the transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau whole-heartedly embraced these principles. In their essays “Self-Reliance” and “Civil Disobedience”, Emerson and Thoreau, respectively, argue for individuality and personal expression in different manners. In “Self-Reliance”, Emerson calls for individuals to speak their minds and resist societal conformity, while in “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau urged Americans to publicly state their opinions in order to improve their own government.
In “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, he promotes the importance of self reliance as an individual, and in society. Individuality to Emerson Opposed the traditional ideas of society, and to him it meant to oppose the conformity and consistency in society. He believes that the majority of people have given up their self reliance because of their fear of judgement by society. To be an individual, Emerson stresses that one has to be a risk taker, and disregard all things external.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was a philosopher and writer who is well known for his criticism of the American government during the time. During Thoreau’s life, there were two major issues being debated in the United States: slavery and the Mexican-American War. Both issues greatly influenced his essay, as he actually practiced civil disobedience in his own life by refusing to pay taxes in protest of the Mexican War. He states that the government should be based on conscience and that citizens should refuse to follow the law and has the duty not to participate and stay as a member of an unjust institution like the government. I argue that the notion of individualism and skepticism toward government is essential in the basis of many important reform movements in the modern society.
To start off, individualism was a major ideal of living, for each of the men. In his essay, Self-Reliance, Emerson stated, “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string,” (Emerson 210) which describes an essential value that Emerson, McCandless, and Thoreau believed in; because with a self-motivated mindset and self-confidence, they were able to able listen to their instincts, mind, and heart without concern of
Many people have applied the ideas of Emerson and Thoreau not only to their lives, but also to the characters in books they have read, regardless of whether the author intended such interpretation. The ideas of Emerson and Thoreau can be applied to many of the novels we read in class this year, including The Natural, A Separate Peace, The Old Man and the Sea, and The Scarlet Letter. In each of these novels the main character experienced many difficulties in which he either succeeded or failed. The successes and failures of any particular character were a result of his self-reliance or of his society-reliance.
The first way Emerson shows self-reliance today is through the society. Emerson's perspective is that the world “world whips you with its displeasure” for nonconformity. This implies that if a person does something society does not think is normal then they get tormented for it. Today people get laughed at if they look a different way than society wants them to look or if they do something that is not seen as normal. Martin Luther King Jr tried to give African Americans the same rights as everyone else but society thought they were “less” than everyone else. He was sent to jail and eventually murdered for not complying with society. In schools today if a student comes in with purple hair and a tail on, people laugh at them and make jokes about them because society does not normally see this behavior. He also argues that “the other terror” that scares people from trusting himself is consistency. When a person is constantly consistent then they will not be able to trust theirself, preventing them from trying new things in life. They limit theirself to what they can do. A person who avoids flying on an airplane by always driving to their destination no
The way in which government should perform has been a long standing debate. Many different authors and social figures have presented their viewpoints on the way in which the people should be governed. Most notable are John Steinbeck in “The Grapes of Wrath” and Henry David Thoreau in “Civil Disobedience.” Specifically, in chapter 17 of “The Grapes of Wrath” Steinbeck comments on the birth of civilization from physical needs to government issues. Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” analyzes the function of government. Although Steinbeck reflects some of the ideas expressed in “Civil Disobedience” in his novel, many of his ideas contradict that of Thoreau’s as well.
To conclude, Thoreau believed that people should be ruled by conscience and that people should fight against injustice through non-violence according to “Civil Disobedience.” Besides, he believed that we should simplify our lives and take some time to learn our essence in the nature. Moreover, he deemed that tradition and money were unimportant as he demonstrated in his book, Walden. I suggested that people should learn from Thoreau to live deliberately and spend more time to go to the nature instead of watching television, playing computer games, and among other things, such that we could discover who we were and be endeavored to build foundations on our dreams.
Thoreau and Emerson are the same in many ways, the both have the things they stand against. Emerson wants us to be ourselves by being independent, he thinks you have to be yourself to be great. Thoreau wants you be be yourself by not following the government blindly, if you know the law is unjust don't follow it. Although Thoreau and Emerson may have their similarities, they also have things that set them apart. Thoreau is fighting is individuality with the government and its unjust laws. In his essay “Civil Disobedience’ he states “That government is best which governs least” (Thoreau 390). In Emerson’s story “Self Reliance” he is fighting his individuality with the part of society who doesn't think or act for themselves. In Emerson’s essay he states “...But God will not have his work made manifest by cowards” (Emerson 225).
Emerson’s ideals rejected the conformist and encouraged independence to which he said, “Your genuine action will explain itself, and will explain your other genuine actions. Your conformity explains nothing.” In terms of
Thoreau, H.D. - a.k.a. “Civil Disobedience.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus, Ph.D. Boston.
Emerson used his literary work, “Nature” to help guide others through the transcendental movement. He has been through many tragedies of losing family members and loved ones, along with the historical events of the Civil War. Although, he remained an optimistic writer through it all, he didn’t just ‘get by’ - he never quit, and he never gave up on himself. Individualism is the habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant. Emerson’s work is all about individualism. He fought for people to be different in their own way. Without Emerson, what would this world be like if everyone was exactly the same?
Emerson is what a lot of people want to be. He is not afraid of what other people think and his goal is to bring them to that state of mind. “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson is also about self-realization. The Emerson’s essay analysis focuses on his definition of individualism, his analysis of society, and the way he believes his version of individualism can transform indeed to save the American society.
I found that Emerson contradicts himself throughout the entire text. He wants us to decide what we want to do ourselves, but isn’t he telling us what to do? He states, at the end of the essay, “Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of your principles.” Isn’t that contradictory
...re very close to Emerson’s description in “Self – Reliance.” It satisfies Emerson’s ideal of a self – reliant person as closely as I can imagine possible. I am negating the fact that Thoreau obviously takes these ideas from Emerson and they are not his own, because one cannot follow Emerson’s guidelines without studying and learning them. Following the guidelines of “Self – Reliance” is impossible due to the fact that accepting these rules as your own means you are taking Emerson’s ideas and not your own. In my opinion Emerson does not want everyone to move out into the woods and live alone. Just to stay wherever you are and find your own genius in your own mind. Do not worry about what the world says about what you do. Thoreau did not have to move to the woods to achieve self – reliance, however I feel as if Emerson wanted to let him realize that on his own.