Comparing Individualism In Civil Disobedience And Henry David Thoreau's

Philosophers are those who shape the minds of society, which is why there is no doubt that two of the greatest thinkers are still relevant in today's world. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau came up with a philosophy known as Transcendentalism. This states that if people accept their flaws and differences and aren't afraid to stand out from society, then they resemble greatness. As demonstrated in their writings, Walden and Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau, and Self-Reliance, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, both of these writers emphasize the importance of individualism, intuition, and nonconformity. The ideas that these two men addressed are still constantly being adapted in real life situations all over the world today, even though

there are some people that agree or don’t agree with their writings. Transcendentalist thinkers, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau’s writings and philosophies have impacted the lives of many people through their relevance even in today’s society.
As stated in the previous paragraph, Emerson's writings show how societies’ individuals are constantly trying to express themselves, even though others are always knocking them down. In Self Reliance, Emerson states, “Society everywhere is in a conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members." Emerson emphasizes this belief greatly and still today this belief applies to members of society. Today, we see conspiracy especially between teenagers. Teenagers in today’s society compete for everything. They compete for popularity and universities and in doing so, they conspire against their friends. They become backstabbing and secretive, so that they could be above one another. People think that only way to get ahead in life now is if they can destroy the dreams of someone so that they can thrive all by themselves, but what they don't understand is that when people help one another, it helps them get ahead even more. Emerson also uses the quote, “We only but half express ourselves.” By this quote, Emerson implied that individuals don’t ever fully express themselves because they are too scared and embarrassed to do so. However, he portrays that they should be their own individual, without allowing outside comments affect them. In my personal experience, i have seen this happen to many people who know what they want to do in life and how they want to portray themselves, but then someone who doesn't think the same way as them will come and tell them how that isn't what they should be pursuing in life because they aren't good enough. In the Miami art district there are many artists who are constantly expressing themselves through art. One might paint a woman with paint brushes for eyes and say it resembles how all they see in life is color and the good in a situation rather than dull and negativity. However, when one person tells them that they are wrong, it makes the artist vulnerable and rethink their entire painting. The point of art is to show individual characteristics that no one else has but the artist himself, and when someone knocks them down, then they get back up and ignore the comments. Even though commentators are always knocking these artists down with their negative comments, the artists uses some of the beliefs of Emerson to get ahead and know that the only persons comments who really matter toward their art is their own comments. What is shown by Emerson's second quote about not expressing one fully applies to this situation because when an artist gets told that they are wrong, it makes them want to shy away and not show the world their full capability and talent. This quote shows that instead, one should not shy away from challenge or their true identity, and rather overcome the hateful comments and become self trusting and self reliant. It tells people that they shouldn't underestimate themselves or let society change them just because of certain comments. All in all, the writings of Emerson in, Self-Reliance, help people all over the world like artists face society head on so that they can aspire their dreams their own way, rather than follow in the steps of others.
Furthermore, Henry David Thoreau expressed similar, yet unique beliefs about society and the individual in his essays, Civil Disobedience and Walden.

In Civil Disobedience, Thoreau expressed his own views on the government and how he feels about it when he says, “That government is best which governs least.” This quote expresses how some people today feel about government due to new presidential elections. Both republicans and democrats have had mixed feelings about Donald Trump for both the good and bad. Like Thoreau believed that government places too many restrictions on society, and that government isn't suitable for the power that they are given, so are some anti Donald trump activists. Recently, there have been many riots or civil rights movements, such as the women's march, that have been protesting against Trump and the way that he treats and talks about women. Many women spoke out and expressed their individual opinions just as Thoreau did about government and the restrictions he feels government has on society. They are showing non conformity because each woman is standing out from the rest of society who doesn't have the same views as them. These women aren't ashamed of themselves or what they are doing because they're so proud of what they believe in and what they stand for. Women also believe that because of certain laws that are part of government, that they can't accomplish everything they set their minds to because they feel like they are limited in certain areas of life. Thoreau expressed similar views by saying, "People has done all that has been accomplished and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes gone in its way." This quote expresses similar views from both Thoreau and his perspective on government, as well as the women from present day who are using Thoreau's writings and relating to them. Other than Civil Disobedience, Thoreau also wrote, Walden which is an essay that describes the connection that he made

with himself away from society while staying in the forest alone for two years. Thoreau displays the connection of unity with oneself while staying away from all materialistic things and people. Nowadays, people in today's society feel that all their is in life is their phone and computer. However, there comes a times where each person decides for him/herself that they need disconnection from all these electronics so that they can reflect and truly connect with their own individuality. As Thoreau said in Walden, “I wanted to leave deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartanlike as to put rout all that was not life.” Through this quote, Thoreau taught society that it's okay to disconnect from the rest of the world to be one with himself. As a result, today's society keeps in mind the writings of Thoreau in, Walden & Civil Disobedience, and uses them to fight for their own rights and be able to connect with themselves away from the rest of society just as Thoreau did.
All in all, Thoreau and Emerson’s writings constantly show their everyday impact on society and how people view themselves and the world today. From a personal point of view, I would agree and say that their writings are still relevant in today's world. However, some people may argue and try to prove that statement wrong because they would oppose and say that revolutionary movements aren't an act of individualism. They would say that when people are displaying acts such as protesting against beliefs that they aren't in accordance with, its called a society uniting as one rather than one person showing their individual identity. Nonetheless, people who don't agree with this statement are wrong because even though they are standing up for their opposing beliefs together, they are still standing out and aren't afraid to be different just because society doesn't agree with them. They are willing to put themselves out there and accept the shame and humiliation just so they can stand up for who they are and what they stand for just as Waldo and Thoreau explained through their writings. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said once, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” This quote signifies how society looks at the world today and takes the philosophies of Waldo and Thoreau and still apply their teachings to the way that they live their lives today.