A discourse on individualism, Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance" extols the creativity of individual thought as well as its importance in society while stressing the need for resistance to conformity.
In his essay, the Transcendentalist Emerson employs metaphors in order to develop his arguments for the value of individual thought that must resist compliance with society:
- Planting Corn
In the second paragraph, Emerson argues for individualism. He states that there is a time in every man's...
A discourse on individualism, Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance" extols the creativity of individual thought as well as its importance in society while stressing the need for resistance to conformity.
In his essay, the Transcendentalist Emerson employs metaphors in order to develop his arguments for the value of individual thought that must resist compliance with society:
- Planting Corn
In the second paragraph, Emerson argues for individualism. He states that there is a time in every man's life when he realizes that "imitation is suicide" and he must think for himself. By doing so, he nourishes his mind, developing critical thought, and generating new ideas.
...no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given him to till.
Every man must think for himself if he would develop his own mind. The "kernel" is an idea.
- Iron String
In the third paragraph, Emerson urges, "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." The iron string is a metaphor for the faith which a person places in himself. What is most trustworthy--"the iron string"--is a man's belief in his own convictions. It is this "stirring at their heart" that the Eternal causes; it is "a transcendent destiny" which makes men great.
- Joint-Stock Company
In the sixth paragraph, Emerson uses the metaphor of a "joint-stock company" to disparage society as he explains that it is in "conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members." (A joint-stock company is a business enterprise whose stock investors surrender potential individual profit to cover liability for company debts.) This "joint-stock company" has members who agree to surrender their individual liberties in order to protect themselves, their positions in society, and their customs through conformity.
- Shadow on a Wall
In the fourteenth paragraph, Emerson states that the conformist has nothing to do because his thoughts are dictated to him. He may as well concern himself "with his shadow on a wall" since he thoughts are reflections of others' thoughts and not his, just as his shadow is not himself.
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