Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson

In "Self-Reliance", Ralph Waldo Emerson argues that to truly be a man, one must be a nonconformist. He explains that all humans, as products of society and perception, are only reflections of each other, and it takes a man to disregard societal pressure to be self-dependent and live in truth. Nature and life must be accepted and valued in their purest forms, and his argument of why man only accepts others in their "full forms" instead of imperfect forms is something I found captivating during my reading.

Mankind dismisses the value of its own beliefs in shame and fear of how other will receive them; however, mankind swoons over the beauty of a rose: a raw, simple flower. Emerson states, "Its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, in all moments alike" (52), describing how the past and future do not disturb the rose, it lives as life comes. This contrasts mankind, as humans look far into the past and future, neglecting the present. Emerson explains that when the mind exists in another time, it will never find truth.

Ralph Waldo Emerson evokes his readers to follow his lead in nonconformity to be in touch with their authentic soul. He states that to be happy, one must strip themselves of societal desire and focus only on what they value themselves. He encourages honesty between people, and states that safety and comfort can only be found when man finds the bravery to act on what they truly believe. When man is honest with itself, it will then be truly self-reliant. 

I hope to discuss Emerson's argument of how "society is a wave"(57) in our class discussion.