In understanding this quotation, it is absolutely essential to be cognizant of the context in which “Self-Reliance” was written. The philosophical and social movement that Emerson and his contemporaries founded, Transcendentalism, espoused the idea that although America had formally gained political independence, Europeans possessed virtually hegemonic control over the culture of America. Emerson and his contemporaries sought not only to pioneer a uniquely American style of literature, but also to forge a distinct culture and ethos independent from those of Europe. Emerson’s opinion that “imitation is suicide” (533) extends beyond the realm of the individual in that it is relevant to the Transcendentalists’ mission of establishing an autonomous American identity. He believes that by continuing to emulate European values and culture, Americans are essentially destroying their own chance of possessing a national identity. Emerson viewed self-reliance, which can be understood as finding inspiration, judgment and validation of thoughts and ideas within oneself, as one of the central tenets of the fledgling American national identity.
It may seem counterintuitive to think that Emerson, a proponent of radical and unapologetic individualism, desired to create a shared American identity and national unity; however, it is necessary to discern that nonconformity is not tantamount to the repudiation of society. By exalting nonconformity, he does not promote the hedonistic active pursuit of personal desires in spite of social norms, like an anarchist, but rather urges the reader to wholly fulfill their human potential. Consequently, the embracing of the self is not a consequence of free agency, but rather the fulfillment of their innate des...
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...ay at home, to put itself in communication with the internal ocean, but it goes abroad to beg a cup of water of the urns of men” (543). This passage serves to inform the reader that the rewards gleaned from imitation pale in comparison to those that originate from oneself, in the same way that a cup of water seems infinitesimal relative to an ocean. This point is furthered by his numerous allusions to famed historical and literary figures who exemplify the fulfillment that can transpire only through illustrating Emerson’s command to “Insist on yourself; never imitate” (547). It is essential to ascertain that these references serve as examples of self-reliant individuals garnering great success rather than exalted heroes that one should strive to emulate, as Benjamin Franklin explicitly prescribes in his Autobiography: “Imitate Jesus and Socrates” (Franklin 285).
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self Reliance and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin are two vastly different texts. Both deal with the development of the American, but each take different paths to get there. Emerson criticizes Americans for being followers and giving into conformity. He believes as humans we should act independently and “trust thyself” (Emerson 2). We must also resist the pressure to conform. According to Emerson, we shouldn’t focus on the past because it drains energy and will prevent the ability to move forward and live a happy life. You are in charge of your happiness. Franklin, on the other hand, believed that in the “self made man”. A man that utilizes his education and opportunities to reach success. Franklin believes that
“We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds…if the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.” (Emerson 179). He believed that Americans were relying too much on the ideas of our British ancestors and our ideas should instead come from the culture and history of the United States. “We have listened too long to the courtly muses of Europe.” (Emerson 178). Emerson believed that the best men throughout history have been the men who come up with their own beliefs and their own ideas and this is what the people of America must do
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.”
Summarize in Emerson story “Self Reliance,” he talks about being an individual and not relying on others to shape you as a person or mold your ideas into their own. He said society has an effect on the growth of a person’s spirit. Emerson says “society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.” This means society is shaping people to be the same and have the same values in life.
He writes, “all things real are so by so much virtue as they contain.” Emerson says that things that are unique and individual are real, so therefore people who are mere imitations of society are neither unique nor individual. This makes it impossible for them to have distinct characteristics and qualities. A person with greater self reliance, Emerson’s goal for society, is an individual who brings value to themselves and others. In his closing paragraph, Emerson drives the final point home in his case for self-reliance. “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” The major goal in life is seen as being at peace with oneself, a goal nearly impossible if one is an imitation of someone else. Becoming self reliant is not so simple as making a single decision, it is a journey. Emerson provides crucial explanation and motivation for one to become self-reliant, and leaves it to the reader to take this goal upon
In The American Scholar, Ralph Waldo Emerson touches on the topic of “individualism” and saw freedom as “an open ended process of self realization by which individuals could remake themselves and their own lives.” He wanted the people to make their life their own especially scholars because they were still connected to European life. He says, “The scholar is the man who must take up into himself all the ability of the time, all the contributions of the past, all the hopes of the future.” He places the responsibility on the individual to accomplish certain tasks, in this case the scholar is the
In the essay Self-Reliance, Emerson addresses his idea on individualism which allows for nonconformity because being a nonconformist in today's mimetic society, can construct an authentic identity. The social conformity in today’s world influences people into conformism, thus eliminating individual thoughts or beliefs. According to Christina Bianca, a creator from At Auburn University, claims that, “In today’s society...it’s become all too easy to let society tell us what to believe through the constant swarm of messages attempting to achieve communication with us.” Society, as stated by Christina Bianca, “attempts to carve beliefs into the human brain by any means possible.” For example, “if you were to log onto any form of social
Citizens of today’s society have to comprehend that by conforming to the pressures of others and imitating everyone else, they will get nowhere in life. First of all, a teenage boy attends his first big high school party at a friend’s house one weekend and he is pressured into drinking beer and smoking marijuana so he will seem cool in front of the popular jocks and cheerleaders. Since many teens are so terrified of ridicule and downright embarrassment in front of fellow students, they decide to give in to their peers even though their actions may go against their beliefs. Emerson believed that by being an individual “you shall have the suffrage of the world.” Furthermore, an innocent sixteen year old girl’s parents go out of town for the weekend and she invites her cute, popular, senior star quarterback boyfriend over, but he pressures her into having sex when she i...
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. The American Scholar ; Self-reliance ; Compensation. N.p.: American Book, 1893. Print.
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.
If I can successfully shape my life around ideas of self-reliance I can be exactly who I want to be. I look around me and don’t want to conform to society’s standards, I recognize that there is an easy way out, but try my best to remain true to myself by following my heart with pure conviction. Because of my desire to remain true to myself, I closely identify with Emerson in “Self-Reliance”: “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, - that is genius.”
“What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what the people think.” (Emerson, 552) demonstrates that Emerson wants individuals to discover their true self that have unique way of thinking and should have a strong sense of self; The strong sense of self is also presented by “A great man is coming to eat at my house. I do not wish to please him: I wish that he should wish to please me.” (Emerson, 555) while stating that nobody’s ideas should be less valued. Through “The one thing in the world of value, is, the active soul, --the soul, free, sovereign, active.” (Emerson, 539) he shows his preference of resisting influences thinkers in past brings because he believes individuals nowadays can come up with better ideas and reading old ones will hold creativity back. In case that Emerson sticks with the stand that everybody can look into themselves carefully and bring up brand new and great thoughts to contribute to the world, he has no compassion toward poor people. If each individual has ability to be self-reliant, and then the only reason why poor people are poor is that they do not even try to manage their destiny. Therefore, unlike Franklin, Emerson questions “Are they my poor?” (Emerson, 552) to blame poor people.
Emerson’s the American scholar was credited as significant as the declaration of independence in literature by many other writers. It was thus a transcendental speech that encouraged young scholars have a better learning process by not memorizing text but by researching on subjects they wish to learn. Such learning process promises innovations and creativity in the minds of the young people and the world always has alternatives to rely on if any other method fails. Therefore The American scholar has thus been an inspiring speech to the whole world that encouraged better learning and creations ever since.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s main theme in “Self-Reliance” places emphasis on the individual’s ideas and not the ideas of others. Emerson strongly believes that “imitation is suicide.” To Emerson, if a person possesses an opinion, the person should voice that opinion immediately without doubt. As Emerson states, “History, and the state of the world at any one time is directly dependent on the intellectual classification then existing in the minds of men. Beware when God
A man can just get an individual when he is self-reliant. If somebody lives after the idea of Transcendentalism and is self-reliant, he will succeed in his life. To get better success as a whole nation, the economy, the community, the government and the educational system need more of those individuals, people, who are different in their thoughts, who believe in their personal opinion and have the courage to express it, who question political actions, who change and improve the system by being sceptic, the people who make the difference. The more people are self-reliant, the better the success of the country and of all people. Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” is an excellent essay about the own opinion of a human-being that exactly describes how men have to think about several aspects of life to get as successful as possible, for their nation and themselves.