Extent of Emerson and Thoreau sharing similar outlooks
Transcendentalism was a literary movement during the first half of the 19th century. The philosophical theory embraces aspects of self-examination, the celebration of individualism, and the belief that the fundamental truths existed outside of human experience. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) and Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) were key figures of American Transcendentalism, expressed the challenge to all the forces of age, tradition, stability, custom, and prescribed authority. As loyal individualists, Emerson and Thoreau emphasized defending the right of each person to follow his own conscience. A theme common to Thoreau's Walden and Emerson's "Self-Reliance" is the importance of self-discovery and Individualism. This paper will attempt to juxtapose the two works by examining the extent to which Emerson and Thoreau share similar outlooks and what differences can be discerned, while discussing the important theme, its role and significance to each work. Within the introductions of "Self-Reliance" and Walden, it can be concluded that Emerson and Thoreau advocate their works with a similar outlook or way of life. Both authors share the common belief of self-discovery and individualism: In "Self-Reliance" Emerson proposes a
In "Self-Reliance" Emerson begins his views on the subject by speaking on our need to good:"Men do what is called a good action, as some piece of courage or charity, much as they would pay a fine in expiation of daily non-appearance on parade. Greatness always appeals to the future. " (907 & 964)Meaning that he encourages us not to support the poor with money, but to only aid them with their greatest need. " (556)It is clear that Emerson is suggesting the readers to embrace this new worldview, by promising them future redemption, and secure their following by implying higher moral character in those that choose to follow. " (869) Similarly, Emerson believes the purpose of ones life cannot be known until the moment we realize our inherited gifts:"Truly it demands something godlike in him who cast off the common motives of humanity, and has ventured to trust himself for a taskmaster. Yet, at the same time he continues to state the satisfaction of living a free life from conformity by arguing:"Your genuine action will explain itself and will explain your other genuine actions. Thoreau's optimism goes as far as to suggest that any man with a secure path already laid out should venture away and broaden his perspective of life:"I see young men, whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, houses, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acquired that got rid of. " (906)It is here that Thoreau expresses the importance of self-discovery and individualism, through seeking personal satisfaction within and not by conforming to society's standard of virtue. In the introduction of Walden, it can be stated that Thoreau shares this outlook by explaining his decision to live in isolation for two years: "I went to the woods because I wished to live desperately, to font only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I come to die, discover that I had not lived. I trust that none will stretch the seems in putting on the coat, for it may do good service to him who it fits" (Norton 868). Immortalized by their works they emphasized defending the right of each person to follow his own conscience. " Unlike Thoreau, Emerson does not share an optimistic outlook and expresses his disillusionment with humanity by adding "The rugged battle of fate, where strength is born, we shun" (Norton561-562) meaning he perceives mankind to be afraid of failure thus never expressing their true self's. Act singly, and what you have already done singly, will justify you now. In Walden Thoreau similarly implies our need to good for impure reasons: "What good I do, in the common sense of that word, must be aside from my path, and for the most part wholly unintended.
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