Peaceful Rejection: Ralph Waldo Emerson
American Literature
9 February 2012
Peaceful Rejection
Many people say that an individual is not the center of the universe, but for Transcendentalist believers they thought the complete opposite. In the 1830's and 1840's a group of writers, artists, and reformers flourished with the start of the struggles of a man named Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson inspired many young writers such as Henry David Thoreau and many other who chose to follow the transcendental beliefs, including “Alexander Supertramp”. Transcendentalist believed that political and religious institution were not as important or powerful as the individual. They believed that everyone is connected to a greater power who we would later return to after death. Society today is structured …show more content…
He strongly believed “to be great is to be misunderstood” ( Self-reliance). Many people are seen as different because of the way they act, however, to them they are following what they believe in. In Emerson's famous book, Nature, he shows that the peacefulness of nature can ease any troubles caused by the surrounding aggressiveness of conformity. For instance, when Emerson is surrounded by nature he explains whole-heartily, “ I feel that nothing can befall me in life- no disgrace, no calamity, which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground...all mean egotism vanishes” (Nature 388). Any difficulties presented in life can disappear if an individual can find peace in nature. Standing alone in the woods, without a care in the world, would leave anyone with peace of mind. Emerson believes that one must rely on themselves in order to achieve success. For example when , he assertively claims, “ A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best...” ( Self-Reliance 391). Any one becomes elated knowing that a job is completed because of the hard work put into the project. The final product was the outcome of the beings work creating a sense of accomplishment. Since Emerson is a strong believer in resisting conformity he claims, “Good men must not obey laws too well” (Emerson). Some laws may go against an individual belief's and then it up to them if they decide to be true to themselves or be swayed by the opposing forces. By being true to themselves, they accept to disobey the law and then entitling them to accept the consequences. Usually the laws are meant to be kept, but Emerson believes “Goodmen” are created by forgetting the laws and the beliefs of society. Emerson inspired many in his time period based on his beliefs and personal
9 February 2012
Peaceful Rejection
Many people say that an individual is not the center of the universe, but for Transcendentalist believers they thought the complete opposite. In the 1830's and 1840's a group of writers, artists, and reformers flourished with the start of the struggles of a man named Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson inspired many young writers such as Henry David Thoreau and many other who chose to follow the transcendental beliefs, including “Alexander Supertramp”. Transcendentalist believed that political and religious institution were not as important or powerful as the individual. They believed that everyone is connected to a greater power who we would later return to after death. Society today is structured …show more content…
He strongly believed “to be great is to be misunderstood” ( Self-reliance). Many people are seen as different because of the way they act, however, to them they are following what they believe in. In Emerson's famous book, Nature, he shows that the peacefulness of nature can ease any troubles caused by the surrounding aggressiveness of conformity. For instance, when Emerson is surrounded by nature he explains whole-heartily, “ I feel that nothing can befall me in life- no disgrace, no calamity, which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground...all mean egotism vanishes” (Nature 388). Any difficulties presented in life can disappear if an individual can find peace in nature. Standing alone in the woods, without a care in the world, would leave anyone with peace of mind. Emerson believes that one must rely on themselves in order to achieve success. For example when , he assertively claims, “ A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best...” ( Self-Reliance 391). Any one becomes elated knowing that a job is completed because of the hard work put into the project. The final product was the outcome of the beings work creating a sense of accomplishment. Since Emerson is a strong believer in resisting conformity he claims, “Good men must not obey laws too well” (Emerson). Some laws may go against an individual belief's and then it up to them if they decide to be true to themselves or be swayed by the opposing forces. By being true to themselves, they accept to disobey the law and then entitling them to accept the consequences. Usually the laws are meant to be kept, but Emerson believes “Goodmen” are created by forgetting the laws and the beliefs of society. Emerson inspired many in his time period based on his beliefs and personal