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Thoreau and Emerson comparison
Compare the indivdual emerson and thoreau
Self - reliance in society
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The voice of America bellows with the sound of freedom and individuality, which reflect the core values of the American society. This voice belongs to Ralph Waldo Emerson, a Transcendentalist writer, who outlines the main value of Americans: individualism. While Thoreau and Dickinson voice this supreme value, Ralph Waldo Emerson transcends these voices not only by discussing individualism, but as well by narrating how to achieve it.
Henry Thoreau's voice speaks of individuality, that is dependent upon unconformity and simplicity. Thoreau believes one must escape societal expectations,“ If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer (Thoreau ).”, to find true individualism. He presumes that if tradition and conformity are extinguish the individual will be able to shape his or her own path and not be stuck on the beaten down trail. If one disregards expectations and heads, “...in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours ( Thoreau
Her voice expresses the individual power to select the people whose opinions matter as well as who the individual lets in.“The Soul selects her own Society - / Then - shuts the Door - (354).” It also represents how the individual has the power to make choices independent from the majority view. Dickinson also voices that individualism can come along with unacceptance because you are not conforming yourself to the standards of society,“This is my letter to the World / That never wrote to Me - “ ( This is is my Letter to the World 354). Her voice mainly speaks to women whose voices are repressed from the overbearing society of men. Challenging the idea around the nation that women must be dependent upon men instead of being an individual with there own thoughts and
In conclusion, by temporarily removing himself from society and thrusting himself into nature, we are better able to understand how Thoreau conveys his attitude towards life. He believes that in order to enjoy it one must free himself or herself from the high-tempo nature of society, live life more simplistically, and experience the reality that is hidden by all the things that are irrelevant in our
Thoreau talks about the politics, power and civil disobedience in his works. He believed that when many thought alike, the power was stronger within that minority. I think that Thoreau's intention was to point out that those people who dare to go against what seems to be unjust and go against the majority, and stand erect, are the people who transform society as a whole.
After viewing both concepts of an ideal society and comparing them to the current sociological debate, it’s clear that present day society emphasizes the need for individual action, instead of integrated and far-reaching reform. Thus, the Thoreauvian idea of individual reform encompasses modern society, unlike the integrated, comprehensive social actions as More describes.
know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my
Have you ever woke up in the morning and asked yourself, “Why am I living this life?” Throughout the book of Walden, Henry David Thoreau questions the lifestyles that people choose; he makes his readers wonder if they have chosen the kind of lifestyle that give them the greatest amount of happiness. Thoreau stated, “Most men, even in this comparatively free country, through mere ignorance and mistake, are so occupied with the factitious cares and superfluously coarse labors of life that its finer fruits cannot be plucked by them().” This quote is important because most of society these days are so caught up in work and trying to make ends meet that they lose the values in life. Thoreau was forced to change his life when he found himself unhappy after a purchase for a farm fell through. On Thoreau’s journey he moves to Walden and builds a house and life from nothing but hard work, symbolizes many different objects.
In “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau emphasizes the need for self-reliance (“Clendenning”). This statement is fitting because Thoreau was one of the most self-reliant men of his time period. He was an individual and enjoyed nature. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) is closely related to the Transcendentalism movement, which lasted a mere ten years in the 1830s and 1840s. Transcendentalism is the belief of self-reliance, individuality, social reform, and relying on reason. Henry David Thoreau’s love of nature, languages, and contemporary English, as well as the growth of Transcendentalism greatly influenced the life of this great American Author.
Both novels, Walden by Henry David Thoreau and Lord of the Flies by William Golding, share a common theme of isolation. In Walden, Thoreau shares his story of the time he spends experimenting with philosophy and social criticism by voluntarily isolating himself to a simple, debt free life in the woods near Walden Pond. Lord of the Flies addresses the moral differences between law and chaos with a fictional story about a group of school-age children who crash land on a deserted island during a war. Unlike Walden, the children in Lord of the Flies do not have a choice in the matter of their isolation and are also in a group with conflicting opinions.
In “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, he promotes the importance of self reliance as an individual, and in society. Individuality to Emerson Opposed the traditional ideas of society, and to him it meant to oppose the conformity and consistency in society. He believes that the majority of people have given up their self reliance because of their fear of judgement by society. To be an individual, Emerson stresses that one has to be a risk taker, and disregard all things external.
Thoreau conveys many points in his writing and a large recurring one is the state of society. As stated before, he believed that people are too focused on physical gain and modernization which leads them into desperation. He adds on to this belief later in the book asking that above all else whether it be money or fame he be given honesty (Thoreau 246). To Thoreau, the truth is more important than anything measurable in status. Thoreau believes that a minimalist lifestyle is a good lifestyle, similar to Mccandless. He speaks of how it is good that he can put all of his belonging in one pile in his yard because it removes the clutter from his life (Thoreau 85). He also says that his best quality in life is to want very little, because it keeps himself true to himself and keeps him from distraction. Thoreau also believes that every man should be one in himself not oppressed by the government. He says that everyone should be able to be themselves whether is is in accord with the government or not (Thoreau 240). He is essentially saying that the government should not be a part of people's life decisions only to maintain the
Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson both believe every individual should be unique. They would agree that a man should not blindly follow the majority, but think and act for themselves instead. Thoreau and Emerson even claim a man should be willing to die for his beliefs. Therefore, Thoreau and Emerson would unquestionably agree with Mark Twain when he says, "whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. "
In Emily Dickinson’s poem #280, “I Felt a Funeral, in my Brain”, she compares her state of depression and madness with a funeral. In a predominant male society, Dickinson feels trapped in a coffin, where she is unable to make any decisions on her own. The women’s role in society during her time was to be a good “Angel of the House”, to be a good housewife. This captivity is the cause of her depression, which in turn causes her to slowly lose her sense of self. The “Mourners” seem to be the majority of society who demands her to take up her part in society as a respectable young woman. This peer pressure seems to draw her in:
Human beings all around the world are different in many ways. They all have their unique and physical characteristics, as well as different personalities. They each also have different ideas and thoughts on different topics. America is made up of a great amount of diverse people with diverse, even conflicting opinions and ideas. Diversity is a major component of the foundation of our country. The cliché of American as a salad bowl is extremely true. Every person is different and every person in his or her own way makes up a small part of America. Without the diversity of ideas and beliefs of Americans, the nation would not be nearly as successful as we are. A major similarity between Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self Reliance and J.D Salinger's Catcher in the Rye is a non-conformist ideology that both exhibit, and the idea that one should choose their own individuality above confomity.
Benjamin Franklin and Ralph Waldo Emerson want people to realize and develop potential within them. Even though both Franklin and Emerson advocate the notion of self-realization, they come up with different ideas about success, and have various attitudes toward people who are not successful in their perspectives.
Throughout the essay from Walden by Henry David Thoreau he often refers to self reliance and simplicity throughout the essay. He believes that its important for an individual to live independently from
Dickinson was unique and the “exception” in creating a private relationship with her self and her soul. In “Emily Dickinson and Popular Culture”, David S. Reynolds, a new historicism critic, wrote that it 's no surprise that the majority of Dickinson 's poetry was produced between 1858-1866, “It was a period of extreme consciousness about proliferation of varied women 's role in American culture.” It was a time where women were actively searching for more “literary” ways of self expression” (Reynolds 25). Dickinson was able to express her ideas and beliefs as a woman, something that was scandalous during this time period.