Idea Of Self-Reliance In Louis Zamperini's 'Unbroken'

Emerson’s Self Reliance essay is a motivational to say the least. Several quotes from the essay challenge our current society's moral compass, even though it was written 150 years ago. The essay stresses the necessity of relying on oneself for knowledge and guidance. Unlike other writings that are often compared to the Bible, Emerson’s essay conveys the same ideas as the Bible, without using scenes or characters to get his message across.

The art of survival is something that is not easily learned. For some, however, it is something that comes from a natural desire to be defiant and rebellious. In the novel Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, protagonist Louie Zamperini fights for survival through a number of trials that are presented to him. His life takes him from being a troubled child, to an Olympic runner, to a bomber lost at sea, to POW in some of the worst camps Japan could conjure. Louie not only survives these trials, he stands up and goes directly against the normality and ease of submission and faces his adversity head on. Throughout the novel, Louie shows that his ability to survive stems from his natural urge to rebel and defy anything that he deems too controlling in his life.

In “Self-Reliance”, Emerson adopts the rhetorical strategy of aphorisms to annex what he thinks by enriching his thesis, while allowing a pause in the reader’s mind to comprehend just what he is saying. Emerson’s honest aphorism advises people to actually believe in themselves in order to be triumphant by saying, “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” (Emerson 1) and “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Emerson 3). The aphorism demonstrates that believing in themselves, and what is important to them, the reader, is what everyone else does, that being an individual is a genius idea. Comparing this to what society, especially the younger individuals with in society, they themselves hear differently, that they

In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance,” Emerson calls for each person in society to be wholly true to themselves. He claims that it is most rewarding to the individual and the society for people to believe in one’s own thoughts and not in the thoughts of others. Emerson believes that conformity will ultimately lead to an individual’s demise because by living for others, people are not being true to themselves. Therefore in order to have a well-formed society, citizens should focus inward and have confidence in their own ideas before beginning to look towards other individuals; moreover, Emerson calls individuals not only in “Self-Reliance,” but also in numerous essays to act independently from conformity and to live for themselves.

There is a large abundance of controversy between individuals over certain topics and what they truly mean. An example of one of these topics is self-reliance. Although there are multiple opinions on the meaning and use of self-reliance the true definition, as found in the dictionary is “a reliance on one’s own efforts and abilities” (Merriam-Webster). Many writers spoke in their writing about their past experiences with self-reliance and what they believe it to be. A few of these writers include Doctor Zhivago, Jon Krakauer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walden, and Peter Buffett. By reading these author’s writings you can clearly understand their views and ideas on self-reliance.

The Essay on Self-Reliance. Kalpaz, 2017. First published in 1841, Self-reliance took a long time to finalize. The essay stresses the necessity of relying on oneself for knowledge and guidance through life. He believes that independent thought is vital to human well-being, and asserting yourself from other ideas. The most important idea from this essay is to Trust yourself, and follow what you feel in your heart is true.

“Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Emerson). When you read that quote many would think it is about trusting their first instincts. The way I read it though is trust in your own decisions even if they go off the “normal” beaten path because everyone has their own path they are destined to travel on. This theory of self-reliance is shown in Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson since they both display it in following their passion in self-reliance.

Though the existence of some objective moral code may appear to contradict Emerson’s “insist on yourself, never imitate” motto on individuality and the self, ultimately, Emerson means that self-truth is the most sacred truth, and that some degree of right and wrong exists in Nature. On the most basic level, self-reliance refers to the process of self-betterment, not through organized religion or worship, but from looking within, from taking matters into one’s own hands and listening to one’s internal sense. When in touch with this sense, men will arrive at conclusions that have a certain Natural quality; they will just feel right.

Chris McCandless radiates pride throughout his journey and exploration to find what I believe, to be self-meaning, Chris flows and adapts to everything around him in Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer, this goes hand in hand with “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, showing a multitude of examples of pride as well. In every man's life they are given the tools and ability to succeed, but the challenge is for them to use those tools and abilities along with their imagination and drive to succeed. This is given some light in Self-Reliance; “no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till” (Emerson 1). This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance makes a great point in saying that the path to success is not paved for you, you must pave it yourself.

In this quote, regarding the Zamperini family upon hearing the news that Louie had gone missing, the emotions of the family are taken into consideration. This specific quote gives the point of view of the Zamperini family regarding the war and introduces the value of family in society during this time. In Unbroken, Louie’s family shares the emotions that they were going through while Louie was away at war. This is important because it provides the point of view of the families of soldiers during World War II. This quote shows that the war was a burden to Louise in that it was so stressful it gave her an actual rash. Sylvia would often go back to Louie’s old high school at night and cry over her missing brother. The family saw the war as a source

To start, I really enjoyed reading my independent reading book Unbroken. The story appeals to me on two completely separate levels, the running side and the P.O.W. military side. Being a runner myself, reading about someone as fast as Louie Zamperini is exhilarating in itself. Running a 4:08 mile in itself was unheard of back then (still is), but the fact that he went to the Olympics in the 5000 meter at the age of 19 is ludicrous. Louie even continued to push for a faster mile when he joined the military as a bombardier, leading into his eventual period of being a castaway.

A Quote from, Emerson Self-reliance tells how people should consider themselves, “Insist on yourself; never imitate, your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have an extemporaneous half possession” (Emerson 166). Emerson’s is encouraging people to be self-Reliant and use their own instincts. A person should trust their selves before other; because they are the only ones who can see into their own heart.

In the most basic meaning of Self-Reliance, it is to become your own individual and autonomous. However, there is some debate on how to achieve that status. Many argued for different sides of the story. In the American Literature line of stories, three stood out to explain self-reliance in different ways.

What truly is self-reliance? What is self-reliance exactly? Self-reliance, according to the Google Dictionary, means “reliance on one’s own powers and resources rather than those of others.” This American quality can be traced back to the founding of America. The rough, scattered, English colonies that had to cope with Indian attacks, famine, and uncomfortably cold weather. John Smith, a rough soldier in the Jamestown colony, demanded obedience from the lazy colonists. He declared that any man who did not work could not eat. Enforcing this is directly enforcing Biblical principles, in the Bible verse 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14. To be self-reliant is to have responsibility, do your own work, take care of your finances, education, and self, and earn your own living. The Founding Fathers of our nation emphasized this quality in the form of individualism- the habit or principle of being self-reliant and

Self-reliance is an important part of life, it’s something that everyone should have because everyone will need it at some point in their adult life. Even if some people are more self-reliant than others, everyone should still have at least a little bit of self-reliance.