Rhetorical Analysis Of Self-Reliance By Ralph Waldo Emerson

In his essay “Self-Reliance,” Ralph Waldo Emerson uses a range of rhetorical strategies to guide and inspire his 19th century American readers. For example, Emerson begins his piece with a personal anecdote. He says that he “read the other day some verses written by an eminent painter which were original and not conventional” (549). By sharing his personal experience, Emerson establishes his credibility and makes his work relatable to his readers. It is as if Emerson is suggesting that his anecdote of reading “some verses written by an eminent painter” is the model behavior that everyone should follow (549). Emerson also references authority to inspire his 19th century readers. He claims that “the highest merit we ascribe to Moses, Plato,

and Milton, is that they set at naught books and traditions, and spoke not what men but what they thought” (549). “Moses, Plato, and Milton” are well-known figures respectively from the Bible, the field of philosophy, and the field of writing (549). Emerson credits the men for their admirable traits to add weight to his views and urge others to follow their example. Moreover, Emerson creates a metaphor about farming to make his point. He suggests that “no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till” (550). The metaphor conveys the idea that we must work to achieve and we must focus on ourselves. Farming was an important part of the 19th century and the metaphor related to agriculture helps Emerson make his point more approachable to his readers. Furthermore, Emerson uses a biblical allusion to guide his readers. By saying that he “would write on the lintels of the door-post, Whim,” Emerson references the well-known biblical story of Passover to make his point that people should trust themselves and listen to their hearts. The readers of the 19th century knew the Bible well and could connect to Emerson’s writings through the biblical allusions employed. In addition, the Bible is a sacred source that adds weight to the overall idea and contributes to increasing the credibility of the work.