from+Self-Reliance

=Ralph Waldo Emerson's [|Self-Reliance]=



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Emerson's //Self-Reliance// is a prose in which is based on the idea of individualism. This essay stresses the need of every human to trust in him or herself and to put forth the best effort that they can do. In the essay, Emerson states that in every man's education, he comes to a point in which he realizes that, "envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion..."

Emerson focused on the idea that each individual was given a genius that can be revealed when the individual trusts their own independent thoughts. One must also go into solitude to gain the true extent of their own genius. If one stays in the borders of society, one will conform to others, and in doing so will not be an individual, nor will one be able to seek out his own individual genius.

Emmerson used a few different literary devices to support the message that he was trying to portray. The first and most recognizable of his techniques was the use of symbolism in his work. One example of symbolism in //Self-Reliance// is this quote, "They eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray." Emmerson was speaking of temptation, and how certain things are more appealing than others. Such as the ray of sun falls on one certain thing illuminating that thing over all others, making it appear more desireable. Also, Emmerson employs trancendentalist views in his work. He shows that all of us are connected in society under god, or a tailored version of god.


 * J.Corona, J.Young, A.Varma**