The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail, By Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the famous maxims by Ralph Waldo Emerson is "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of

your own mind." In essence, it explains that there is nothing that is more important than what you

choose to do yourself. The "integrity" described in this maxim refers to each person's thoughts on what

is right to do. The universal truth revealed by Emerson is that the only factor inhibiting the human

potential is the person's own choices, which is the integrity of the mind. The only thing stopping man

from achievement is himself. This feeds into the broader view that everyone should be able to make

their own choices to succeed in life.

In the play "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, there are

numerous applications

of this maxim seen in the actions of Henry David Thoreau. In one particular
scene with Ellen, Henry encourages Ellen to "be [her]self (29)," which goes hand in hand with Emerson's
maxim.

Like Emerson's maxim, Henry reflects off the idea that every single person should have the

freedom to dictate what they do, so that they can succeed. Henry tells Ellen to take notes in her

notebook only if she wants to, "not because [he] is doing it or because [he] told [her] to. (29)" The

freedom of choice exhibited by Henry to Ellen shows the extent to which he lives out Emerson's maxim.

This maxim by Emerson is also applicable in the modern day world. The situation of having parents that

dictate over the children's lives has been brought up numerous times not only from what I hear but

also shown in the media. Many students complain that their parents have a set goal or major for them

to follow, with high expectations and standards such as sending their child to become a doctor or

lawyer. According to Emerson's maxim, that would set the child away from success, as his maxim

preaches that success can come only when one makes choices on their own. Society itself has started

to promote having children and students choose their own path and be independent. For example, the

variety of classes and programs offered in high schools around the nation accommodate and cater

to
those interests they may have. Some may argue that these programs dictate the choices of the student.
However, the variety of these programs actually aid the student by providing many options for them to
try out, on which they could pick on their own behalf. Many of these societal factors follow the theme of
Emerson's maxim and have contributed to having the individual express his or her interests, especially
in the public school system, a crucial stepping stone to the students' futures.

The media and public

school system portray Emerson's maxims in a modern way by encouraging students to go down a path

that interests them, as a result of their own choice.

A connection with this maxim can be made to the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In

the novel, Hester Prynne lives with a society that is against her and despises her for her commitment of

adultery. She is shunned by all the people, from the elderly to even the young kids making fun of her.

Even with threats by those people, Hester works against the odds and makes an effort to stay and even

charitably helping the less fortunate in her community. Through this, she exhibits the tenets of

Emerson's maxim by choosing to stay in the town through her own will and determination. She

disregards the hostile environment that is against her and breaks through the only boundary that

separates her from success: herself. With her own decision and "integrity of [her] own mind", factors

such as the harsh townspeople are "at last sacred" or important at all. Through her

independent
choices and success despite the odds not in her favor, Hester Prynne applies Emerson's maxim
throughout her life.