In-depth Analysis: Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance Essay

This essay provides an analysis of an excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson's 'Self-Reliance,' focusing on the importance of independence and self-reliance in decision-making. It discusses Emerson's emphasis on individual thought and action, contrasting it with societal pressures and the opinions of others. The essay also includes a personal reflection on the relevance of self-reliance in contemporary society, highlighting its significance in overcoming peer pressure and making informed choices. It concludes by reinforcing the enduring value of Emerson's message and its potential to empower individuals to assert themselves and live authentically. Desklib provides access to a wide array of study resources, including past papers and solved assignments, to support students in their academic endeavors.

Excerpt from “Self-Reliance”
DISCUSSION OF AN EXCERPT FROM “SELF-RELIANCE”
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Excerpt from “Self-Reliance”
DISCUSSION OF AN EXCERPT FROM “SELF-RELIANCE”
INTRODUCTION
In order to survive in this world of today, it is important to be both independent and
inter-dependant. Humans tend to take advantage over other humans, especially when they are
at a higher position than the others. The sixth sense of man tends to make him judgmental,
thus giving him a feeling of others who seek his help as lesser mortals. However, the very
sixth sense of man that gives him an edge over other species causes him rifts between other
people of his own kind (McHarg and Steiner 97). In his essays, Ralph Waldo Emerson has
repeatedly stressed for the need of man to be self reliant on his instincts and abilities, and to
wean off from the concept of a mandatory dependency state. In this paper, an excerpt of the
essay “Self Reliance” by the author has been discussed, and its underlying concept analyzed
(Emerson 10). A subjective opinion and feedback of the reader’s views on the essay shall also
be provided.
ANALYSIS
In the excerpt, Emerson has stated that one’s actions must be a reflection of his
thoughts and concerns, and not that of the thoughts of other people, who have no connection
to his life. He has stated that some people tend to think themselves entitled to another
person’s life, and tend to interfere in the latter’s life by providing their unwanted opinion. He
says that though it is easy to humor the interfering people by agreeing with them in their
company, and listening to oneself when alone, greatness is maintain a balance, and asserting
oneself even in an interfering company.
Emerson has called for the need of self-assertion and autonomy of one’s thoughts in
one’s life, by not paying heed to the unwarranted opinion of others, however well meaning
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Excerpt from “Self-Reliance”
they might be. According to him, one must take complete control and ownership of one’s
own life, thus making decision making easy. Emerson says that many people have the
opinion that they know better than the concerned person himself, and that to follow their way
is to do the right thing (Sacks 109). However, one would be termed mean and proud, if the
societal opinions are unheeded to. For an average person who does not assert himself,
depending on the opinions on others, and altering one’s life to suit their narratives might be
the easier option, than to assert himself and be shunned.
One must take control of one’s opinions, and must be in a position to show the
opinions of others the door, when one feels that it is interfering with one’s ideals and
lifestyle. Emerson focuses on maintaining the balance in such critical issues. He says that a
person who is able to take ownership of his own life, make critical decisions on his own, and
does what he feels is the right thing, all in the midst of interfering voices, would be termed as
great (White 200). This is indeed a necessary trait for a person to assert oneself strongly
enough, so that interferences would not affect him.
FEEDBACK
Quoting John Donne, “No man is an island” (Donne 17), it can be understood that
man, being the most vulnerable of all species of the earth, needs the help of others to survive.
Life on earth has flourished with the ability of its organisms to live symbiotically, depending
on each other for their survival. However, that mutual interdependence must not be mistaken
for weakness, and self-dependence must be asserted at all times, in order to live a life with no
regrets.
For a person living in today’s world, self-reliance is an important trait. Many people
tend to make major decisions erroneously, just because they could not assert themselves in
front of interfering voices. Self reliance and a strong self confidence filled attitude is
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Excerpt from “Self-Reliance”
necessary in time of adversaries – when one tends to be in a disadvantageous position when
compared to his peers, and is more likely to fall for peer pressure (Tian M et al 355). Self
reliance in decision making is also one of the crucial things that people need to learn from
their teenage years, as that is the stage they tend to fall for peer pressures.
In adulthood too, people tend to listen to other’s opinion, either because they have no
voice to assert themselves, or that they fear the hypothetical consequences of self assertion.
Many problems that plague the society, such as abusive relationships, broken families, etc
could be solved by the people in-charge of the situation being able to assert themselves,
rather than fearing the society’s opinion on them (Helin 200). Curtailing cowardly behaviour
and enabling self-reliance would bring about a positive change to the family, and the society
at large.
CONCLUSION
This excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “Self-Reliance” would enable man
to make his voice heard amidst interferences. Even though it has been subject to various
criticisms, flaying the concept of self-reliance for being egoistic and insensitive (Read 30), it
has been adapted in various forms of popular culture, and needs to be ingrained in the minds
of each and every person. This book’s relevance to the current society, though written more
than a hundred and sixty years ago, reflects the visionary that Emerson was.
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Excerpt from “Self-Reliance”
WORKS CITED
Donne, John. Devotions upon Emergant occasions. UK: Cambridge University Press, 1923.
Emerson, Waldo Ralph. Essays, 1st series. 1841.
Helin, Calvin. Dances with dependency: Out of poverty through self-reliance. Open Road
Media, 2014.
McHarg, I and F Steiner. "The Ecological Design and Planning Reader." Man and the
Environment. Island Press, 2014. 97-107.
Read, James H. "The Limits of Self-Reliance: Emerson, Slavery, and Abolition." APSA 2009
Toronto Meeting Paper. APSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper, 2009. 1-50.
Sacks, Kenneth S. Understanding Emerson:" The American scholar" and his struggle for self-
reliance. Princeton University Press, 2003.
Tian, M and et al. "The relationships between positive peer pressure and self-esteem and
various risk-taking behaviors of adolescents." Psychological Development and
Education (2016): 349-357.
White, Roger. "Cross-Societal Cultural Differences and the Shaping of Opinions on
International Trade." Public Opinion on Economic Globalization (2017): 171-229.
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