Use Of Figurative Language In Self-Reliance By Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the story Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson uses aspects of figurative language that are compelling. This language is established when Emerson compares roses to the present. In the text it says, “These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day.” People are obsessed with the past that they typically neglect the present. Society is referenced because we compare the past to the present, even when they’re incompatible. The past and the future have their own unique story. A weak writer would have done the same; however, with an unconvincing comparison. Emersons comparison is effective. The reason as to why is because when a rose gets replaced, every single one has a unique story. You can’t compare one rose to another because they aren’t the same. Each rose is beautiful and distinct. They all originate from the same place, but each has a different story.
Furthermore, another aspect of figurative language Emerson used was when he compared flowers to human beings. In the text it
In the text it says “Laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future.” Emerson describes people showing grief for their past but lacks concern for the beauty surrounding them. Instead of focusing in the present, they fret about their future, a future that is a long way away. A weak author would have referenced the idea, but not in the manner Emerson did. The language he used makes his argument stronger and informs the reader about the way society is living. I believe Emerson established this sentence, so readers can realize how society is living. We aren’t living to our full potential because we are either regretting the past or anticipating the future. Emerson is trying to bring attention to the situation because it affects the manner in which we view and live our