Self Reliance...ugh

Firstly, I would like to start by saying that I was very unhappy to read this monstrous packet called an essay. Self reliance was the title of my fiend. I sat and stared at it and thought, groaning internally (because Ms. Brown won’t let us groan any other way) I wondered how many words it takes to tell someone to rely in them self. Regardless of how I felt, the reality of the situation is, many people on this earth feel unfulfilled, so they turn to hazards to feel that void. Everyone has their insecurities, and that sense of self that always seems to contradict them. In this sense the author of self reliance is sending out a message that people should accept themselves for who they are despite the outcome. At the end of the day you only have yourself, not saying that you are alone, but ultimately you can only fully rely on yourself. It’s nice if you have people in your life who are willing to share in your burden, but what if those people weren’t there? Who would you rely on? If the answer is “I don’t know”, then I highly recommend you sit down and force yourself to read this “little essay” title Self reliance.

Ralph Emerson is an author that I can automatically tell is very colorful, in getting across his message to his audience. The second sentence really stands out, “The soul always hears an admonition in such lines, let the subject be what it may.”(Emerson) Basically this sentence is saying that despite what your brain hears, or how well it can comprehend the matter at hand, the soul is always going to hear a flaw. This is your inner self doubting your decision. Most people can’t rely on themselves and/or don’t trust themselves enough when their first minds tell them correctly. “Nothing is at last sacred, but the integrity of your own mind” (Emerson) The soul should be thought of as your inner self. If your inner self is always in contradiction with everything else, there should be a raise for concern. Logos is a very strong device which is colorfully used broadly and often throughout the entire piece of literature. The logical analogies being used are mainly appealing to an audience who are of knowledgeable distinction. “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.”(Emerson) This is a wise piece of knowledgeable information to everyone scholars and diversity alike. To be a man you must be your own man. Despite the popular belief that is you set the trend you are the man. A real man won’t try to encourage people, or most aimed at our youth, but a real man encourages others to be their own people as well. Take a look around your environment, and see how many girls you can spot with kinky twists, or how many guys you can spot with Js or fusions. Not to say they don’t purchase these things, because of their personal taste; but most likely it’s for acceptance. Furthermore, this is a point that Emerson argues against, to be self reliant you must first be self distinctive.

“There is a mortifying experience in particular, which does not fail to wreak itself also in the general history; I mean the “foolish face of praise”, the forced smile which we put on in company where we do not feel at ease in answer to conversations which does not interest us.” (Emerson) This is a pathological appeal very well used in order to strike a common emotion within the average person. Everyone has those interests when they feel they can’t be themselves, so they put on a fake facade in hopes of being accepting. Wearing a mask or “foolish face of praise” to disclose how you truly feel inside is a commonly used fight or flight response mechanism. Everyone has that vulnerable feeling that they don’t belong or don’t feel their knowledgeable on what’s current, but instead of sticking true to your inner self, you put on a show for the rest of the world. And for what? When you actually think about it most of the people you associate with now, you probably won’t even remember their last name in twenty years from now. So why lower yourself today, when you’re only going to have yourself for tomorrow? Don’t lower yourself for another is an overall message. Your purpose on earth is not to please people who come into your life; however they should see fitting to please you, for wanting to stay within your life. “A great man is coming to eat at my house. I do not wish to please him; I wish that he should please me.”(Emerson) Playing off of a common human emotion was a very smart tactic on the part of Emerson.

Emerson thoroughly presents a well thought out argument throughout the entire text. The overall goal of the essay was to inspire, but to also point out his point of view while relating to his audience in a way that would appeal them in his favor. The basis of the text revolved solely around self. This word was repeated several times throughout the passages. If self was omitted his argument would suffer, and become weak. Self is the ultimate message and goal. Without self there is no sense in ones belief. The core of who you are has a person would be non existent. And you will be condemned to a life as a conformist.