Self Reliance Argument
Lauren Garneau
Ms. Plackowski
APLC
October 6, 2014
Argument Analysis: Self-Reliance The general argument made by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his work Self-Reliance is that one should have the ability to think for oneself. A man must be able to depend on himself to make reasonable choices throughout their life. More specifically, Emerson argues that there is a distinct point when an individual must accept a unique path that has been established. Emerson focuses on how life has a predetermined direction for a human being. He writes, “Accept the place the divine providence has found for you...” In this passage, Emerson is suggesting that a man must acknowledge that his fate has been produced by an entity greater than man itself. He proclaims that people must learn to accept that they were put in a specific place for a predestined reason. Life does not just happen; there is always a greater explanation for the events that occur. Emerson displays that life is a domino effect; one thing always leads to another and continues on for eternity. Ones awareness of the domino effect then prompts one to accept the path that was originally set for them. A person is able to come to the …show more content…
He writes, “...we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us.” In this passage, Emerson suggests that society is the greater power; the power that allows no room for one to express their individuality. Society does not give a man the option to explore what life has to offer. Emerson reveals that society is the reason why people are not able to act like themselves; it has pre made norms and rules that everyone follows with little question. A single person does not have the power to go against the rest of society and make an impact. In conclusion, Emerson’s belief is that society deprecates the thoughts of individuals because it has enough power to sway ones position and people are used to following set rules and
Ms. Plackowski
APLC
October 6, 2014
Argument Analysis: Self-Reliance The general argument made by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his work Self-Reliance is that one should have the ability to think for oneself. A man must be able to depend on himself to make reasonable choices throughout their life. More specifically, Emerson argues that there is a distinct point when an individual must accept a unique path that has been established. Emerson focuses on how life has a predetermined direction for a human being. He writes, “Accept the place the divine providence has found for you...” In this passage, Emerson is suggesting that a man must acknowledge that his fate has been produced by an entity greater than man itself. He proclaims that people must learn to accept that they were put in a specific place for a predestined reason. Life does not just happen; there is always a greater explanation for the events that occur. Emerson displays that life is a domino effect; one thing always leads to another and continues on for eternity. Ones awareness of the domino effect then prompts one to accept the path that was originally set for them. A person is able to come to the …show more content…
He writes, “...we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us.” In this passage, Emerson suggests that society is the greater power; the power that allows no room for one to express their individuality. Society does not give a man the option to explore what life has to offer. Emerson reveals that society is the reason why people are not able to act like themselves; it has pre made norms and rules that everyone follows with little question. A single person does not have the power to go against the rest of society and make an impact. In conclusion, Emerson’s belief is that society deprecates the thoughts of individuals because it has enough power to sway ones position and people are used to following set rules and