The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Research Paper Example

When comparing Emerson’s concept to the view of Franklin of an educated person, the one thing that stands out is that, Waldo Emerson is named as the American breakthrough thinker. He proclaimed the universe as being ecstatic and intimated thereby having the American self unloosed hence was in a position to lead the celebration. Whereas, Franklin, has a moral circumspection that has a counseled prudence that has been able to develop his character. In terms of progressive thinking and application, Franklin is considered a resource for the self-made man. On the other hand, Emerson lived off the money of his wife. However, it is evident that both believed in attaining the American Dream hence, eschewed organized religion. Through Franklin’s work, it is apparent that he believed in the value of virtue, which he believed leads a person to moral perfection. The virtues in this case were not based on Christianity, but on rational thought from a mind that is Enlightened (Franklin 283). Emerson, on the other hand, believed in self-improvement that only benefited the self. In essence when it comes to education, in all that one does, Emerson views it in terms of mind and spirit and Franklin was all books.

As such, Emerson’s view was of maintaining reader’s own creativity and thought independence, which portrayed books usefulness. A reader that would think gave reference to understanding knowledge of nature and the constitution of humans. Franklin viewed education as a learning process from what is taught, which is often set in stone. According Emerson, the education you learn is converted to a thought, which is turn changed into an action for it to be useful. Therefore, emphasized on seeing beyond what is written in the text pages. He emphasized that education is good, but people should not be in the inclination of limiting themselves. Both Emerson and Franklin believed that if, a student read more, they become more educated. Until Franklin’s scientist years, he did not think outside the books and thus, his knowledge was used in inventing unknown things. As such, he was becoming one with his scientific nature, and this is a close relationship to the aspects that were being brought forth by Emerson.

In relation to Emerson’s view of education, he believed that education was a lifelong practice of receiving or discovering relations that have the ability to attach us to one another, and that spans to the end of the world. Therefore, the practice has helped people develop self-transformation and self-knowledge. As a result, this shows his advocacy for conformity (Emerson 537). Moreover, his focus on self gives recognition to each individual’s improvement leading to societal improvement.

The education has been helpful to many students in terms of creating creativity because they are given the opportunity to do inquiries. These inquiries build their level of creativity because they have a chance of sharing with others their points of view. Through this, students build their creativity by thinking ‘outside the box’ and applying content read to real world experiences. The system of education has been able to incorporate self development techniques, which also ascribes to creativity among students.

Works Cited

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Self Reliance: The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York, 2008. Print.

Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography: The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York, 2008. Print.