Self-Reliance 1841, Essay Example

In his essay, Emerson (1841) creates a contrast between the law of society and the law of nature. According to him, every person should listen to their inner voice, and rely on the power of their thoughts. This revolutionary idea created in the 19^th century was well ahead of its time. Before that, people would turn to others for advice and guidance, they should trust themselves. They relied on parents, leaders, and the church to make decisions for them. Emerson’s essay, however, rejects the superiority of society, rules, and even religion. According to him, one cannot find the truth outside of himself, as universal truth is in everyone. The essay is built around one topic: humans’ self-reliance.  Emerson argues that those things that men rely on: society,  norms, religion are simply making them weaker.

The author clearly introduces the topic through the verses quoted, and then creates arguments from different angles. First, he mentions self-realization, then talks about the different voices that people hear from within. He explains why nonconformity is both beneficial and empowering. He explains why many tend to get scared by their inner voice, and let society shape their action, instead of their own thoughts. By providing clear examples for explaining his ideas, the essay has a strong rhetorical structure. His metaphor of the man building the coach, but losing his feet is a strong rhetoric argument that helps readers envision how society deprives them from their independence.

There are several sentences that capture readers’ imagination. One of them is the above mentioned coach and crutches metaphor:

“The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet. He is supported on crutches, but lacks so much support of muscle. He has a fine Geneva watch, but he fails of the skill to tell the hour by the sun”

The above sentences clearly describe why self-reliance is important. People who lose the ability to walk on their own would be crippled without crutches and the coach. Likewise, modern people, without a watch would lose time awareness. The idea presented in the above paragraph is extremely relevant to today’s society. In the age of social media and advanced communication technologies, people are influenced by media, peers, and ideas. As an example, many people are told what to eat, what not to eat, how to lose weight, and simply forget to listen to their body. As a result, they try diets that are not suitable for them, instead of relying on themselves to develop a personalized plan for losing weight. Students, when completing assignments, or researching a topic, are quick to go on Google. They forget about the power of their mind, and rely on others’ ideas when being asked their opinion on an issue. They use the “crutches” of technology, and rely on outside sources.

Emerson also talks about regret in a way that it is both inspiring and radical. The author states:

“Another sort of false prayers are our regrets. Discontent is the want of self-reliance: it is infirmity of will”

In this statement, the author indicates that instead of sympathy, help should be offered to other people. This is true for self-reliance. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves – that does not lead to solutions  – we should help ourselves. Self-helping men are strong, and realize that only they are responsible for their own lives. In today’s world, when depression has reached epidemic measures, teaching people to focus on finding answers and solutions in themselves, instead of focusing on the problem is in the center of therapy sessions.

Works Cited

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Self-Reliance” 1841. Print.