Essay On Individualism

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The Works of Thoreau, Emerson and Franklin Reflect their Adaptation to the
Ideals of Individualism
Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Benjamin Franklin embraced aspects of individualism in varying degrees. Individualism is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount…” and secondly, as “a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests.” Thoreau was the consummate individualist, engaging in a relatively solitary life for over two years. Emerson believed that self-reliance would enable a man to change his own world for the better. Franklin, a successful businessman who valued the principles of the individual’s worth and diligence, made lasting contributions to society through his own hard work.
An individualist is usually regarded admirably since he thinks and acts independently according to his own conscience and beliefs; however, some individualists may tend to withdrawn from society and be regarded as a “loner.” Since Thoreau felt that the laws and values of the United States were contrary to his belief, he decided it was better to live outside pro-slavery and pro-war society. In 1845, he built a small hut on Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts, and resided there for over two years. His most popular book, Walden; or, Life in the Woods, is drawn from his thoughts during that time. His existence at Walden Pond was not completely solitary as he made frequent visits to the nearby town and also entertained visitors.
Thoreau’s experiment was to prove living a simple life was possible and preferable. However, the serenity he sought was taint...

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...eau, Henry David, and Brooks Atkinson. Walden And Other Writings / Henry David Thoreau ; Introduction By Ralph Waldo Emerson ; Edited By Brooks Atkinson. n.p.: New York : Modern Library, c2000., 2000. Georgia Perimeter College GIL Catalog. Web. 2 July 2014.
Thoreau, Henry David, and Jeffrey S. Cramer. Walden : A Fully Annotated Edition. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 5 July 2014.

"Overview: “Self-Reliance”." Literature and Its Times: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them. Joyce Moss and George Wilson. Vol. 2: Civil Wars to Frontier Societies (1800-1880s). Detroit: Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center. Web. 4 July 2014.
Yang, Vincent. "Self-Reliance." Magill’s Survey Of American Literature, Revised Edition (2006): 1. Literary Reference Center. Web. 4 July 2014.

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