Emerson's Philosophical Argument

The arguments between my mom and me had only increased in vigor and frequency in the last few days. The culmination of such altercations arrived when I stayed out too late one night. I told my mom that I would be back from my friend's house at an "appropriate" time. Although there was no established, specific time, I had created a perception of responsibility and reason. However, when I received a text from my mom, my face twisted into one of annoyance; one that a toddler would make when upset about not being able to control the world. I reverted my attention, then, to my self-enjoyment for the next half hour. It was only interrupted by another text from my mother. Even though my phone was on silent, it buzzed and rattled the floorboards for

a brief moment, startling me out of my preoccupation. I picked up the bright phone screen and squinted at it, and read my mom’s text saying that she would pick me up soon. With ambidextrous fingers, I responded and said that my friend could drive me home. An hour later, she did. We walked out into the cool, fall night, still happily chatting away. I would not have believed someone if they were to tell me that the happy state I was in would be juxtaposed sharply with my coming experience with my mother, just a short distance away. I was utterly oblivious to my sin. When my mom finally arrived and drove me home, she was infuriated. The tension lasted not only later in the night, but also in the morning when driving me to school. She told me that she was my mother, the divinely established master of my life. Her word was practically law. I asked her why this was, and she pointed to the Sixth Commandment. However, I had attributed the cause to none other than the fact that she was unable to accept that I was a functioning, living, breathing, and thinking human being. My complete subordination to her was destroying my ability to act within my best interests - that is to say, act rationally and reasonably. Her zealous obsession with the family hierarchy had gone too far, I had thought. I should be more independent solely because I had the maturity and ability to be so. After all, how could she object? My mother would eventually have to say goodbye to me when I moved away to the East Coast - college and medical school will be packed with classes and things to do - therefore, allowing a modicum of independence seems fitting. Such a mindset, despite its ostensible defiance of rule and well-placed authority, is one that should be well understood, as it has defined much of my life.
This idea of independence is explored in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay, Self-Reliance. Literary devices, such as a smooth flow, analogies, personification, and real-world examples are used to portray to the reader that the self is ultimately the best way to achieve inner peace, and that being independent of outside forces is a surefire way to comprehend the nature of the self and of life as a whole.
The essay advocates for a mindset in which the self is the most important determining factor for inner peace.

Emerson very clearly understands the never ending spiral of ego defense that is present among those that are dependent on the state, as he criticizes those who depend on other institutions other than themselves. As well as giving a real-world example of this, Emerson describes the actions of these people as it pertains to defending their dependency on government institutions. Conclusorily, Emerson generalizes about these people and makes them out to be simpletons who measure other humans solely based upon their material wealth. As well as providing generalizations about such people, Emerson’s philosophical ideas are also present when he states that cultured men understand the difference between inherited and earned wealth, even going so far as to say that they are ashamed of amassed wealth they do not necessarily deserve. Emerson also makes up a term to describe true human value - “living property”. This type of property, as intangible, shows that humans should be valued on more specific attributes rather than on material ones. This goes to the point of independence to critique the current thought, which is that material wealth should indicate strength, not independence and works achieved through self-reliance. Furthering this critique is a reference to political parties, which points to how many identify in a group and place great importance upon this. However, the critique is clear - independence and the self is ultimately more impressive than large groups of people. Emerson also explains how the independent people in the world stand “erect”, and are able to have “command”. These descriptive phrases further his point that independence is the key to individual strength and inner peace. Finally, Emerson personifies chance and rationality, calling them “Fortune” and “Cause and Effect”. This personification allows him to express the two conflicting methods of

life, one that is based upon chance and the other that is based upon rationality. The final sentence, however, leaves us with a powerful statement; that the happiness that you may receive is only a guise if it isn’t a result of your own self-reliance and independence. When I had to endure my mom’s lecture on the value of punctuality, I only could think of myself, and how I should be more self-reliant.
The benefits of self-reliance are not insignificant, and I knew this when I thought of this on the car ride home. In William Wordsworth’s poem, Resolution and Independence, many literary devices, such as imagery, similes and metaphors, rhyme, and narrative qualities are used to express the nature of one’s mind and how it can aspire to be independent and firm. The poem highlights the philosophical journey of a poet questioning the nature of his occupation and analyzing his emotional state as a result of his lifestyle. Although I am not a poet myself, the parallels to my life are very present to me. The poem uses deep narrative storytelling to describe how the narrator wanders through lonely fields, thinking. The narrator then happens upon an old man standing next to a pond, and the narrator learns that he has a lot to gather from the humble leech gatherer. I oftentimes feel influenced heavily by the world around me, but reminding myself that firmness of mind is important helps me cope with the confusing world around me. Wordsworth’s poem is a perfect example of staying true to yourself.
The very beginning of the poem is best recalled when considering its deep literary descriptiveness. The poet wandering through the field describes how there had been rain the night before, but now, the full beauty of nature had arisen and changed the mood. This draws parallels later in the poem, a representation of the poet’s constantly changing mood. This is seen when the narrator says of all humans that “As high as we have mounted in delight/In our dejection do we sink as low”, which shows how a life of happiness is counterbalanced with moments of sadness. He also generalizes about the rambunctious life of a poet, saying that “We Poets in our youth begin in gladness/But thereof come in the end despondency and madness”. The emotional instability of the poet, however, is contrasted with the independent and resolute nature of the old man that he happens upon. The narrator describes the old man as strong, using a simile when he says that the man was “As a huge stone is sometimes seen to lie/Couched on the bald top of an eminence”. However, the poet acknowledges that there are differences between the emotional stability of himself and the leech gatherer. Despite the passionate life that a poet lives, the narrator says that the old man must have been a divine opportunity to him. He even goes so far as to ask him about his occupation and his way of life, and how he is able to love and carry out his lifestyle. The leech gatherer, for instance, moves from pond to pond, and uses only the guidance of God to find shelter and basic necessities. However, the man is stately in both nature and in mind, and he is independent and strong despite his feeble physique and humble occupation. The implications of the lessons that the narrator learn run deep. At the end, the narrator tells God that he will always think of the man when considering his own state of mind, especially when stuck in a state of loneliness. When the narrator says “‘God… be my help and stay secure/I'll think of the Leech-gatherer on the lonely moor!’”, the narrator means that he admires the strong and independent nature that the old man showed him. This dedication to the resolute nature of the mind should be important when considering emotional stability. Metaphorically, there are many times when I wander through windy fields without aim. However, a firm mindset and a strong set of convictions is crucial to rooting yourself to the ground.
The topic of independence, specifically, is readily seen within William Wordsworth’s poem, Resolution and Independence. The poem focuses on the stately nature of the old man, and how he is stable throughout life’s obstacles despite his lowly social position. The narrator, by contrasting his own life with the old man’s, underscores this point deeply. Similarly, the same lessons can be applied to my own life.
The results of being self-reliant are present in Johannes Vermeer’s painting Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window. When observing, I immediately notice that the centerpiece is a girl reading a letter. Her face is radiant, with a surprised look at the piece of paper in her hand. Perhaps significantly, her face is lit up brilliantly by the light from the window in front of her. Furthermore, the room around her brings a cozy feel to the room. It is within a sense of seclusion and secrecy that the room brings that one can begin to wonder what the content of the letter holds. The green drapes to the girl’s right add to this sense of containment. However, subtleties also distract us from this immediate wonderment. There is a bowl of fruit in front of her, rich with detail, and an intricately painted stained glass window. There also appears to be lavish clothes spread before her.
However, even more evident in Vermeer’s work are the subtleties, from which deep inferences can be drawn through inferencing. For example, the bowl of fruit is deeply symbolistic of love. The expression on the girl’s face is also indicates that the girl is receiving a love letter, and it is her first reaction to it that is caught up in the light of the window. The drapes in the room also show a deep sense of amorous security. The fact that the light is shining through the window into the dark room shows how the person that the girl receives the letter from is a newfound light into her world. Furthermore, there are various references to Cupid in this painting, which is a clear indication of the topic of love. The stained glass window, although beautifully painted, shows the multifaceted aspect of love.
Although the painting seems to show the power of love, one can notice that the references to seclusion indicate that the girl is separate from her family and undertaking the task of reading the letter alone. Through her independence and self-reliance, she is able to gain security, secrecy, and the ability to pursue her love.
One particular episode of Grey’s Anatomy stood out to me as notable to the topic of independence. In “Great Expectations”, many of the hospital’s attendings vie for the top position, and they all compete by working overtime and performing the most impressive medical procedures for the point of impressing others. However, this takes a toll - Dr. Cristina Yang and Dr. Preston Burke have to end their relationship due to the stresses of the situation. Such a conclusion was reached when considering their personal goals in life, as they were focused on themselves and were not willing to sacrifice each other for their partner’s benefit. Such is a necessary consequence of being independent, however.
Looking inwards to yourself for strength and purpose is sometimes a difficult process, but it is a necessary one that ultimately is beneficial in the long run. No one else can understand you and your goals as well as you can. Furthermore, relying on yourself builds personal strength due to the lack of outside crutches. One must look to their inner self for a both a deep understanding of themselves and a more peaceful outlook on life.