Comparison: How Does Ralph Waldo Emerson Use Self-Reliance?
October 19, 2010
English 3773 – American Literature to 1800
Dr. Prus
DOUGLASS AND EMERSON
What is Self-Reliance? How does Ralph Waldo Emerson use self-reliance? How does it relate to Frederick Douglass’ Narrative? These are some interesting questions and they will be carefully reviewed. Emerson’s use of self-reliance may have many different interpretations for others that read it, but his possible intentions of its use will be the primary focus. Douglass’ Narrative might be seen as a fulfillment of Emerson’s Self-Reliance. These two epics are interesting and engaging of their own volition so looking at the two of them together will hopefully help answer some of the lingering questions that may have been left unanswered in the past …show more content…
Gregory Garvey, is “Emerson, ‘inclines to the view that a contemplative mind can be more truly self-reliant than a person striving for self-reliance in the world. With an independent mind, one can see and know, observe and trace the intricacy and complexity of the world. This mental process more nearly reaches self-reliance than being and acting individualistically do’ ” (Garvey 7). This is one possible interpretation of what Emerson may have meant and what he might have meant could be seen as similar to the previous statement that indicated we should look at the world around us to see what works and what does not work. By critically reviewing the world around us it can bring some sense and new revelations to what Emerson is trying to tell …show more content…
We have reviewed Emerson’s Self-Reliance as a separate piece and should give the same respect to Douglass’ Narrative. According to a critical essay by Kelly Rothenberg it is stated, “His help and strength must come from within himself first, and he refuses to accept the idea that he must wait until the afterlife for his suffering to end. In a very humanistic way of thinking, Douglass realizes that he should not have to suffer in this life” (Rothenberg 4-5). One could view this quote almost as an answer to the question, “How does Douglass’ Narrative relate to Emerson’s Self-Reliance?” It could be argued that Douglass reviewed and critiqued his own life. After careful review he may have come to the conclusion that he is a human and deserves to be treated as such. This could be seen as a convincing stand that Douglass might
English 3773 – American Literature to 1800
Dr. Prus
DOUGLASS AND EMERSON
What is Self-Reliance? How does Ralph Waldo Emerson use self-reliance? How does it relate to Frederick Douglass’ Narrative? These are some interesting questions and they will be carefully reviewed. Emerson’s use of self-reliance may have many different interpretations for others that read it, but his possible intentions of its use will be the primary focus. Douglass’ Narrative might be seen as a fulfillment of Emerson’s Self-Reliance. These two epics are interesting and engaging of their own volition so looking at the two of them together will hopefully help answer some of the lingering questions that may have been left unanswered in the past …show more content…
Gregory Garvey, is “Emerson, ‘inclines to the view that a contemplative mind can be more truly self-reliant than a person striving for self-reliance in the world. With an independent mind, one can see and know, observe and trace the intricacy and complexity of the world. This mental process more nearly reaches self-reliance than being and acting individualistically do’ ” (Garvey 7). This is one possible interpretation of what Emerson may have meant and what he might have meant could be seen as similar to the previous statement that indicated we should look at the world around us to see what works and what does not work. By critically reviewing the world around us it can bring some sense and new revelations to what Emerson is trying to tell …show more content…
We have reviewed Emerson’s Self-Reliance as a separate piece and should give the same respect to Douglass’ Narrative. According to a critical essay by Kelly Rothenberg it is stated, “His help and strength must come from within himself first, and he refuses to accept the idea that he must wait until the afterlife for his suffering to end. In a very humanistic way of thinking, Douglass realizes that he should not have to suffer in this life” (Rothenberg 4-5). One could view this quote almost as an answer to the question, “How does Douglass’ Narrative relate to Emerson’s Self-Reliance?” It could be argued that Douglass reviewed and critiqued his own life. After careful review he may have come to the conclusion that he is a human and deserves to be treated as such. This could be seen as a convincing stand that Douglass might