Emerson Nonconformism

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist and lecturer at college campuses. Emerson attended Harvard in order to study theology, became a pastor, and eventually resigned to write. Two of Emerson’s works include “Self Reliance” and “American Scholar”. In these, it is evident that Emerson proposed an extreme vision of the intellectual, who transcends all convention, including the institutions of one’s country, to speak the truth that emerges from within; meaning that the intellectual speaks (metaphorically) what s/he believes to be true, regardless of what those around them believe. In Emerson’s “Self Reliance”, he starts off his essay by writing “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” (Paragraph 1) According to
Emerson states “In life, too often, the scholar errs with mankind and forfeits his privilege. Let us see him in his school, and consider him in reference to the main influences he receives.” (Paragraph 5) According to Emerson, the intellectual, or scholar, is overly influenced by society while making a decision, and loses the ability to think for themself. Emerson wants the intellectual to be influenced by their schooling, which they can properly reference to have an informed opinion. In doing so, the intellectual is able to live out what they truly believe, despite society being against it. In conclusion, in both Emerson’s essay “Self Reliance”, and his speech “American Scholar” Emerson puts forth the idea of the intellectual creating their own opinions, instead of simply abiding by societal norms. In doing so, the intellectual should live out these opinions because they think they are correct, meaning they are, to the intellectual,