Papers First Reliance Analysis

Also complimenting each other are their ideas of great men throughout history. Emerson says, "No greater men are than ever were, a singular equality may be observed between the great men of the first and last years" while Whitman proclaims "Births have brought us richness and variety…I do not call one greater and one smaller, That which fills it's period and place is equal to any." However, while Emerson feels that what great men have in common is the courage to listen to their own individuality and to be the first to express an idea, Whitman sees all men as contributing greatness to one another.

In her article “I Stand Here Writing”, Nancy Sommers examines the writing process and formulating ideas for writing in a more empirical manner. She states that before she found her creative zeal/ niche her writing was often undisciplined, unmethodical, and sloppy. Sommers reveals that in college she was less known for her writing and more for her long hair and misapplication of phrases. She found her true inspiration while writing her Senior Thesis on Emerson’s “Eloquence.” Throughout the entire essay, Sommers provides the reader with advice about writing. A key point that she mentions is, “If I could teach my students about writing it would be to see themselves as sources, as places from which ideas originate, to see themselves as Emerson’s transparent eyeball, all that they have read and experienced-the-dictionaries of their lives circulating through them.”

Emerson tells the readers what they can accomplish instead of what they can’t in a way that Emerson isn’t telling or showing the readers but Emerson is making them look for it themselves. Emerson’s compelling allusions introduce the readers to a new mind set, telling them “we ascribe to Moses, Plato and Milton […]

In the second paragraph Emerson said that people’s destiny was to accept that the divine creator is within us, also that the universe is full of decency and it’s all powerful. There can also be a power found within that we

Moreover, the ideal individualism, which for Emerson had meant creating the conditions for spiritual perfection, was distorted into a rationalization for every kind of exploitation and self indulgence. Many of these characteristics

While among those close to them, people tend to become influenced by those same people and slowly gain a better understanding of their traits and motivations. Consider the short story ,“Lamp At Noon”, by Sinclair Ross. Paul, who had faith, dreams, and plans all invested into his farm is confronted by his wife and her aspirations for the family. After an argument with her over whether they should stay in the dust ridden farm or start a new in the city, Paul finally comes to an understanding that, “She looked forward to no future. She had no faith or dream in which to make the dust and poverty less real. He understood suddenly” (Ross 8). From this context, the reader is able to visualize how Ellen’s words have reached Paul, and how he is able to bypass his wants and understand hers. Another short story that illustrates this same idea is “The Father” by Hugh Garner. The character of John Purcell profoundly makes a fool of himself and his son without even realizing the damage of his actions, and as a result, he see’s that his, “boy was sobbing silently, his thin shoulders shuddering beneath his blazer. Suddenly he (John Purcell) was ashamed by the enormity of his act, and had to prevent himself from taking his son on his knee and comforting him as he had done when the boy was younger “ (Garner 75). Due to the influences of his son’s attitude toward the situation, John comes to his senses on the scene he has created and is able to understand his son’s embarrassment and shame that he’s brought upon him. The short stories “The Father” by Hugh Garner and “Lamp At Noon” by Sinclair Ross portray how one person can not only be influenced by

Ralph Waldo Emerson gave a speech to the men of the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Cambridge University entitled “The American Scholar” in 1837. The speech focused on the main ideas of transcendentalism as well as how different factors in society affect man’s ability to realize that they are their own individuals. Harold Bloom, a well known literary critic who evaluated topics such as the bible and Shakespeare, believed that Emerson’s writing was the template for all future authors. Bloom believed that adversity allows people to have a deeper understanding of the world. However, Emerson focused on the loss of knowledge in the society due to the misunderstanding of younger generations in his time period while Bloom mainly focused on how Emerson's views on individualism and transcendentalism affected all writing whether admitted or not. Harold Bloom was correct in his critique, “Out of Panic, Self Reliance” published in 2008, when he confirmed Ralph Waldo Emerson's view point in his speech “The American Scholar” (1837) stating that overcoming adversity is an essential part to gaining wisdom and forming self- reliance by comparing it to current political events in order to show once again that Ralph Waldo Emerson was very influential to not only authors but to the overall evolution of man’s thoughts.

This essay shows great detail of Emerson’s importance of individualism. “Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered but the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred the integrity of your own mind. Absolve your to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world” (Emerson 364). Palm leaves are a symbol that means everlasting triumph and honor. This quote is showing that someone who is different form everyone else should be happy to stand out and show society that they are not afraid to be different. This quote also states that if one is happy being different and standing out from the crowd that the world should be happy and approve that. “For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure. And therefore a man must know how to estimate a sour face. The by-standers look askance on him in the public street or friends parlor. If this aversion had its origin in contempt and resistance like his own he might as well go home with a sad countenance…” (Emerson 366). This quote is stating that not everyone in society will like the way someone is or want to be ones friend, but all of that aversion shouldn't stop society from being different. Not everyone is going to like everyone. Parts of society

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” Dr. Seuss. Thought and emotions are items that will always last forever inside of humans through thick and thin. Not all the tangible objects given to people will forever withstand their life but the thoughts will always be there for eternity. Many people believe that they would be able to remember anything from an event and the different features of the situation but, people don’t realize the fact that the more they think about a situation the more the memory will change. The excerpt from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and the excerpt, “Hope, Despair and Memory,” from Elie Wiesel’s Nobel Prize lecture both portray the value of memory through the contradictory

In Experience, Ralph Waldo Emerson writes about the human condition shared by all in his uniquely “Emersonian” perspective. Perhaps one of his most effective works is Experience, an essay on a subject of which Emerson had much “experience” and personal grief. To fully appreciate Emerson, the reader must closely analyze his writing, with both its obvious meaning, and the experience with which he’s writing.

In order to inform the reader of the role an individual has, Emerson uses figurative language, such as metaphors, to reach his goal of conveying his idea. A particular metaphor Emerson uses, “...imitation is death…,” tells the reader that imitating another is giving up one’s personality. The role of an individual, according to Emerson,

Emerson starts off by stating that everyone is very common but also very different. For example, when Emerson says, “Every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Pg. 591, Line 37), he expresses that people are very similar. A matter of fact, there is an actual study that shows when a human being listens to music, the beat of your heart goes with the rhythm of the music. This piece of the puzzle has one powerful image. And that is an image of imagery and metaphor. Emerson uses these two strategies because he wants to grab his audience’ attention by bringing what they love most, their heart (without their heart they wouldn’t be able to love) and music.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” was written in 1841 in New England during the Transcendentalist Movement, which was a revolt against the “Age of Reason” and the beginning of Romanticism. Emerson’s essay is about Transcendentalism, the belief that every human has his own way of thinking and personal inborn knowledge to build his opinion, independent from the common beliefs of the community and he should believe in and express his opinion to be successful. Emerson supports the idea of Transcendentalism by urging his readers to trust their own ideas, beliefs and common sense, to listen to and to trust their inner voice and to hold the popular opinion back from influencing their way of thinking, if they want to be successful. He tells

(Achebe 1-2). Departing from the familiar, births comprehension, and fear, while the anxiety increases so does the insecurity—home forever burnt into the mind’s eye remains forever embedded in the heart’s eye. One’s

Emerson begins his article by talking about the importance of self reliance. He defines self reliance as thinking for oneself and not letting anyone else influence one in any way, shape, or form. As a human being this may be one of the most difficult tasks. Emerson explains that being self reliant can be difficult especially for adults because they are too worried about their reputations and how others will look upon them. Emerson also says, “ Trust thyself” (2). Emerson believes that one should go with his or her gut in everything she or he does. Even if what she or he wants to do goes against the thoughts of others she or he still needs to pursue his or her dreams. The last thing Emerson wants people to do is be embarrassed of what others will think of themselves. People need to throw away others’ thoughts and opinions and follow one's own.