Transcendentalism In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”, he expresses that one should never conform but instead follow one’s own mind. He wrote this while he helped start the Transcendentalist movement. In Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience”, he explains that it is okay to disobey the rule of law if it is unjust. This is written in response to the questions he was ask on why he went to jail. Both of these works were published around the same time. “Self-Reliance” was published in 1841. “Civil Disobedience” was published in 1849. These two essays can be compared through the objectives, writings, and social implications. To begin, the objective of both works are similar because they stress individualism. The purpose of “Self-Reliance” is to show that a person needs to find his own truth. Emerson wants to give the reader a better understanding of why it 's important to follow your own heart (Valdosta). He states, “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string”, because he wants to persuade the reader to rely on oneself (2). In addition, the purpose of “Civil Disobedience” is to convince people to do what they believe is right and not to follow the law. Thoreau argues that there is a higher divine law, and that when those human-made laws conflict, one must obey the higher law (“Civil Disobedience”). Thoreau criticizes the American government when he states, “This American government—what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity?”. Next, the writings are comparable because they have the same philosophical ideas. Emerson states that all men “must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny, and not be pinched in a corner”, to inspire the readers to be a leader instead of a follower (2). He does not want anyone to ever underestimate what one is capable of. Emerson declares, “none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried”, to express that one person should not be limited by what others think they can or cannot do (2). Emerson states, “…you think good days are preparing for you. Do not believe it. Nothing can bring
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The two thinkers speak about what changes and reforms need to be made in society. According to Emerson, people are almost always willing to conform to society, and he states that “self-reliance is its aversion” (3). He tries to show the readers that they must be willing to speak the truth without being afraid of what others will say (Valdosta). Emerson says that to be a conformist in this world will get you nowhere and that “imitation is suicide” (2). Thoreau argues that each individual should declare independence from unjust laws, and that “it is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right”. He thought citizens should never give up their conscience to the law. He states, “that government is best which governs not at all” meaning he does not agree with a government that takes part in a person’s life (Thoreau). He did not believe government played any kind of important role in society. The government tries to constantly control every aspect of everyone’s life, but it should allow its people to decide major issues. These essays inspired civil war advocates, abolitionists, and war protesters after they were
The two thinkers speak about what changes and reforms need to be made in society. According to Emerson, people are almost always willing to conform to society, and he states that “self-reliance is its aversion” (3). He tries to show the readers that they must be willing to speak the truth without being afraid of what others will say (Valdosta). Emerson says that to be a conformist in this world will get you nowhere and that “imitation is suicide” (2). Thoreau argues that each individual should declare independence from unjust laws, and that “it is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right”. He thought citizens should never give up their conscience to the law. He states, “that government is best which governs not at all” meaning he does not agree with a government that takes part in a person’s life (Thoreau). He did not believe government played any kind of important role in society. The government tries to constantly control every aspect of everyone’s life, but it should allow its people to decide major issues. These essays inspired civil war advocates, abolitionists, and war protesters after they were