from Self-Reliance

By Ralph Waldo EmersonBy Ralph Waldo Emerson

Author Biography: Ralph Waldo Emerson

• He was an essayist, poet, and philosopher He was an essayist, poet, and philosopher born May 25, 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts.born May 25, 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts.

• Son of well-know minister, William Emerson Son of well-know minister, William Emerson and Ruth Haskins, daughter of a merchant.and Ruth Haskins, daughter of a merchant.

• His father died in 1811 when Emerson was His father died in 1811 when Emerson was eight, leaving his mother to rear six children.eight, leaving his mother to rear six children.

• His aunt, Mary Moody Emerson, was a writer His aunt, Mary Moody Emerson, was a writer who took an interest in the education of her who took an interest in the education of her four nephews.four nephews.• It is likely that she played a large role in Emerson’s It is likely that she played a large role in Emerson’s

development as a writer.development as a writer.

Biography: Emerson

• Emerson attended Boston Latin School, a private Emerson attended Boston Latin School, a private academy.academy.

• At age fourteen he enrolled (on scholarship) at At age fourteen he enrolled (on scholarship) at Harvard College where he won several prizes for Harvard College where he won several prizes for writing.writing.

• After graduation in 1821, he worked as a teacher at a After graduation in 1821, he worked as a teacher at a school run by his older brother William.school run by his older brother William.

• In 1825, he enrolled in Harvard Divinity School, and a In 1825, he enrolled in Harvard Divinity School, and a year later he began a career as a Unitarian minister.year later he began a career as a Unitarian minister.

• He soon became Chaplain of the Massachusetts He soon became Chaplain of the Massachusetts Senate.Senate.

Emerson Biography

• Emerson married Ellen Tucker, the Emerson married Ellen Tucker, the great love of his life in 1829.great love of his life in 1829.• Her death a year and a half later Her death a year and a half later

devastated him and took a heavy toll on his devastated him and took a heavy toll on his religious faith.religious faith.

• He resigned his pastorate in 1832, telling He resigned his pastorate in 1832, telling his congregation that he no longer believed his congregation that he no longer believed in celebrating Holy Communion.in celebrating Holy Communion.

Emerson Biography

• After a tour of Europe, Emerson earned a After a tour of Europe, Emerson earned a living as a lecturer.living as a lecturer.

• In 1835, he married his second wife, Lydia In 1835, he married his second wife, Lydia Jackson.Jackson.• They lived in Concord, Mass. and had four They lived in Concord, Mass. and had four

children; one died as a boy.children; one died as a boy.• In Concord, Emerson became friends with author In Concord, Emerson became friends with author

Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, fellow transcendentalist and author of fellow transcendentalist and author of Walden,Walden, who became his student and close friend.who became his student and close friend.

Emerson Biography

• Emerson began to shape his lecture material into Emerson began to shape his lecture material into essays in the early 1840s.essays in the early 1840s.

• These works expound various aspects of Emerson’s These works expound various aspects of Emerson’s transcendentalist philosophy.transcendentalist philosophy.

• Transcendentalism stood against materialism, Transcendentalism stood against materialism, institutionalized religion, and slavery.institutionalized religion, and slavery.

• Emerson’s strong belief in the integrity of the Emerson’s strong belief in the integrity of the individual is summarized in his oft-repeated phrase, individual is summarized in his oft-repeated phrase, “trust thyself,” and given full expression in his famous “trust thyself,” and given full expression in his famous essay “Self Reliance,” published in 1841.essay “Self Reliance,” published in 1841.

Style of “Self Reliance”

• Rationalist ArgumentRationalist Argument• Essay is a carefully constructed rational argument Essay is a carefully constructed rational argument

with goal of persuading readers to adopt ideas with goal of persuading readers to adopt ideas Emerson promotes.Emerson promotes.

• Author uses logic, reasons, facts, and examples to Author uses logic, reasons, facts, and examples to support his position.support his position.

• Emerson organizes his ideas so that they lead readers Emerson organizes his ideas so that they lead readers step by step to the conclusion he wishes them to reach.step by step to the conclusion he wishes them to reach.

• He begins by defining genius and explains why he He begins by defining genius and explains why he believes every human being possesses it. He goes on to believes every human being possesses it. He goes on to explain how and why this genius is to be expressed –the explain how and why this genius is to be expressed –the expression of that inborn genius is the essence of self expression of that inborn genius is the essence of self reliance.reliance.

Emotional Appeal

• Emerson’s tight rational argument is Emerson’s tight rational argument is complemented by energetic and complemented by energetic and passionate language that appeals to passionate language that appeals to readers’ emotions.readers’ emotions.• He uses the effective technique of using He uses the effective technique of using

images from nature.images from nature.

References to Persons and Literature

• ““Self-Reliance” is studded with a Self-Reliance” is studded with a multitude of references to famous men multitude of references to famous men and well-known literature.and well-known literature.• Men mentioned are held up as examples of Men mentioned are held up as examples of

self-reliance and of the greatness it brings.self-reliance and of the greatness it brings.• There are several biblical references.There are several biblical references.

Literary Focus: Figures of Speech

• ““Self-Reliance” is an essay that includes some Self-Reliance” is an essay that includes some striking figures of speech.striking figures of speech.

• Figures of Speech are based on unusual Figures of Speech are based on unusual comparisonscomparisons• They are not meant to be taken literally.They are not meant to be taken literally.• For example: When Emerson says “Society is a joint-stock For example: When Emerson says “Society is a joint-stock

company,” he is comparing society to a business.company,” he is comparing society to a business.• In a joint-stock company, all of the owners share the In a joint-stock company, all of the owners share the

company’s profits and losses equally.company’s profits and losses equally.• Emerson’s comparison points out that society is interested in Emerson’s comparison points out that society is interested in

money and success.money and success.• Figures of speech include Figures of speech include similes, metaphors, similes, metaphors, and and

personification.personification.

Reading Skills: Recognizing Figures of Speech

• A figure of speech can help us see something A figure of speech can help us see something in a new, imaginative way.in a new, imaginative way.

• When you come across a figure of speech, When you come across a figure of speech, ask yourself these questions:ask yourself these questions:• What two things are being compared?What two things are being compared?• What do these two things have in common?What do these two things have in common?• Why does the writer create this comparison?Why does the writer create this comparison?• How does it affect the text?How does it affect the text?

Using the Skill

• As you read the selection, pause whenever As you read the selection, pause whenever you notice an unusual comparison.you notice an unusual comparison.

• Such comparisons may be figures of speech.Such comparisons may be figures of speech.• Jot down each figure of speech you find.Jot down each figure of speech you find.• As the questions above to help you As the questions above to help you

understand each comparison.understand each comparison.

Romanticism

• Emerson is considered an American icon of Emerson is considered an American icon of Romanticism.Romanticism.

• Emerson’s philosophy as expressed in “Self-Emerson’s philosophy as expressed in “Self-Reliance” largely overlaps the ideas of Reliance” largely overlaps the ideas of romanticism, which include the inherent worth romanticism, which include the inherent worth of the individual, the importance of personal of the individual, the importance of personal freedom from religious and social restrictions, freedom from religious and social restrictions, and the divinity of nature.and the divinity of nature.

Themes

• IndividualismIndividualism

• NonconformityNonconformity

• Originality versus ImitationOriginality versus Imitation

• Past, Present, and FuturePast, Present, and Future

• Cause and Effect versus FortuneCause and Effect versus Fortune

Summary

• GeniusGenius• Societal Disapproval and Foolish ConsistencySocietal Disapproval and Foolish Consistency• Self-WorthSelf-Worth• Relation of Individual to GodRelation of Individual to God• The Highest TruthThe Highest Truth• Resist TemptationResist Temptation• Effects of Self-RelianceEffects of Self-Reliance