SELF-RELIANCE SUMMARY

Ralph Waldo Emerson is explaining in this summary that no man shall become envious because that is pure ignorance. He believes that you that you should believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to stand out when it comes to your individual thoughts and ideas. He believes you should rely on yourself and don’t be afraid to be misunderstood because the past important men in our history were misunderstood i.e. Jesus , Luther, Pythagoras and Socrates. Believe in yourself because you could be the next important, famous, misunderstood person in our history.

Biography Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in 1803 and died in 1882. Three principles

that Emerson lived by were individuality, independence and appreciation for nature. Throughout his life, Emerson was constantly generating new ideas. His literary work made him one of the most quoted writers in American literature. Emerson was born in Boston and was the son of a minister. He was adopted by his aunt at 8 years old after his father’s death. He attended school at Harvard. After graduating, he became a pastor. As a result to his young wife’s death, Emerson resigned as pastor just after 3 years. He then went to Europe where he met 3 English writers. Emerson then returned to the United States remarried and began his career as a writer. His work attracted people of many ages, but it was the young people of his time who were most receptive to the thoughts of this philosopher. Beneath his calm, sober demeanor existed a restless, highly individualistic mind that resisted conformity. Emerson’s first national achievement was in 1841 when he wrote Essays. Although Emerson was known mostly for his essays and lectures, he considered himself primarily a poet. Like his essays, Emerson’s poems expressed his beliefs in individuality and humanity’s spiritual congestion to nature.

Self-reliance Cesar Chavez had transcendentalist many ideals he stood up for what he “felt” was right and he

did not care what anyone else would think. He led many people to boycott against California grape growers, protesting poor working conditions and the use of pesticides harmful to farm workers. He stood strong and protested five years until he got justice.

DR. Martin Luther King considered a “well known” transcendentalist who had sought to meet justice for his people. He was the voice for many Americans who called for change and refused to get no for an answer. Through his time spent trying to make a difference not once to fuse to violence.

Gandhi led his people in India to non-violent political resistance, later referred as the "Father of the Nation”. He was the voice twenty years defending the rights of immigrants in South Africa. Also, known as a transcendentalist because he dealt with social transformation and religious renewal, also was a self reliant advocate.

Ex). The pursuit of happiness- Will Smith conveyed a single father working hard to find a job after losing his house, his bank account, and credit cards. He lost it all because he invested heavily in a device known as a "Bone Density scanner". He felt like he made the devices. However, they did not sell, as they were marginally better than the current technology at a much higher price. He went through a lot to make sure that his son and he was taken care of. He went to the greatest heights to find a job. He even hit “rock-bottom” to get to where he needed to be and he made it by not relying on others. He took on a job as a stockbroker, but before he can receive pay, he needs to go through 6 months of training, and to sell his devices.H

 

An example of self-reliance in modern day society would be:  

single & working moms.

Homosexual people fighting for their rights in today are society.

The woman whom rose up from sexist’s clichés and is enjoying their sexuality.

Journalists that risk their lives to do their work and keep us informed

Businesspersons starting their enterprises in these difficult times for the economy.

Another example would be a young man/woman coming up trying to make their way through college with no help.

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Work citations Waldo, Emerson. "Self-Reliance.". . Upper Saddle River,NJ : Pearson Education, 2004. 391-

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