Comparing Emerson And Thoreau

Critical Response Essay Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau are two well-known American literature writers, during the nineteenth century (Baym & Levine, 2013). Interestingly enough both writers became great friends after their career paths crossed at one of Emerson’s informal meetings (Baym & Levine, 2013). Although both American writers had numerous successful publications, both Emerson and Thoreau were considerable different. On the contrary, one topic they shared perception of was the government and society. Ralph Waldo Emerson held a very strong conviction of self-reliance. In contrast, he viewed the society and government as the devil, because he visualized society as evil. Emerson spoke to his audience on the importance of being unique as God had created the human race. When one decides to conform to society or “follow the crowd” he/she are discouraging individualism. Emerson strongly believes one should follow his/her intuition, living for the future. Emerson thinks that by individuals being self-reliant the belief of “chance” could be controlled by the human race. “It is only as a man puts off from himself all external support, and stands alone, that I see him to be strong and to prevail” (Baym & Levine, 2013, p. 566). Overall, Emerson strongly believed that following society had a negative effect on

Both men held the view that following the society/government completely was wrong. Emerson saw it as wrong because it was going against individualism, whereas Thoreau saw it as wrong because of the opposition to God’s law. Emerson shows up at the jail when Thoreau was thrown in jail after refusing to pay his taxes. Emerson did not necessarily see eye to eye with Thoreau’s approach. Overall, both agree that in certain circumstances, it is vital that one resist the pressure of the society and