Ralph Waldo Emerson Character Analysis in Self-Reliance

The author. Emerson’s voice in this essay is a confident one that makes controversial and provocative statements designed to move the reader to listen to his or her own voice and ignore societal pressures. Emerson’s perspective in the essay is rooted in transcendentalist thought, especially in his emphasis on the importance of the individual, reliance on intuition, the underlying unity of everything, and the appreciation of nature.

Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes in Self-Reliance

The Self-Reliance quotes below are all either spoken by Ralph Waldo Emerson or refer to Ralph Waldo Emerson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 20

Explanation and Analysis:

Emerson introduces the idea of self-trust or self-reliance early on as the foundation for the alternative morality he espouses throughout the essay. While conventional morality is based on adhering to societal norms and engaging with traditional religious institutions that also emphasize conformity, Emerson’s transcendentalist morality looks to the individual as the source of truth. This is the case because, according to transcendentalist beliefs, each individual is a reflection of the universe at large. The only way to apprehend that connection is by observing and listening to one’s own intuitions. That kind of attention to intuition only happens if the individual Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. A

Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker), Society

Page Number and Citation: 21

Explanation and Analysis:

One of Emerson’s aims in the essay is to convince the reader to accept that, far from being a source for good, society is a corrupting, limiting force, and nonconformity is the only way to escape its effects. The word “conspiracy” has a negative connotation, while the use of the word “manhood” is designed to get an emotional reaction out of the reader (presumed to be male) by asking them to see societal pressure as a kind of attack on their very humanity (and masculinity). The use of this emotional appeal is therefore designed to get the reader to accept Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor

Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker), The Individual

Page Number and Citation: 21

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote, which comes almost immediately after Emerson’s accusation that society is “in conspiracy against the manhood” of the individual, offers a countermeasure against society—nonconformity. Since Emerson believes that the individual, rather than society, serves as the foundation for morality, nonconformity offers the best chance for that individual to recover their ability to live a life guided by intuition rather than the conventional morality that society supports. Emerson’s support for nonconformity in this passage reflects his transcendentalist belief in the primacy of the individual. The use of the word “man” may well be literal, but it can also be read Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligend

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 23

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote is from a passage in which Emerson acknowledges the difficulty of living according to the nonconformist morality in which he believes. Part of his aim in the essay is to convince the reader that regardless of how difficult nonconformity is, there is a payoff, and that payoff is greatness (rather than “meanness,” or smallness and weakness). Another important aim of the essay is to define what moral self-reliance means. This quote serves as a reminder that consistent nonconformist morality at its roots is about valuing one’s own beliefs over those of others, even if living out this principle Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolo

For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker)

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 24

Explanation and Analysis:

Emerson explains in this section his belief that self-reliance can be achieved if the individual is willing to forgo the approval of society. He first of all wants to prepare the reader for that disapproval. Second, he wants to offer the individual a more positive interpretation of what societal disapproval really means for a nonconformist. One key element of feeling certain in one’s nonconformity is coming to a better understanding of how to take the inevitable disapproval of society at large. His point in this quote is that the disapproval of people with conformist morality is nothing to fear, since Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad do

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker), The Individual

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 24

Explanation and Analysis:

One of the counterarguments against a morality rooted in the individual is that the individual is so variable that what may be moral one day will be immoral the next because of personal whims. Emerson rejects this argument first of all by pointing out that there is no special virtue in consistency. Consistency as a measure of morality comes out of a privileging of rationality and order, two characteristics that Emerson did not value because he embraced some of the Anti-Enlightenment ideals of the period. His rejection of consistency as an important value also comes out of his transcendentalist belief Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas

We denote this primary wisdom as Intuition, whilst all later teachings are tuitions.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 27

Explanation and Analysis:

As a transcendentalist, Emerson argues that the individual’s self-contemplation is the first and best means of uncovering the ultimate truths. The reason why the individual is so central to his system of morality is that intuition provides the individual with a direct line to the universe or Oversoul (God). Emerson sees intuition as the “primary” wisdom because it is the lens through which the individual can understand all other kinds of experiences, including sensory perception, and because (as long as the individual does not allow the expectations of society to interfere with those intuitions) following those intuitions can serve as Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia a

We lie in the lap of immense intelligence, which makes us receivers of its truth and organs of its activity.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 27

Explanation and Analysis:

In this quote, Emerson provides context for why the intuition is an adequate guide to morality. The “immense intelligence” that he refers to here is the entirety of the universe—the “Oversoul,” or God. Transcendentalism holds that each part of the universe reflects every other part of the universe, from the individual on up. Becoming “receivers of its truth and organs of its activity” then requires acknowledging the transcendentalist belief that all things reflect and include the underlying truth of existence. Emerson’s highlighting of this connection is an effort to provide reassurance to the would-be nonconformist that there is a stable Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequunt

Beauty, convenience, grandeur of thought and quaint expression are as near to us as to any, and if the American artist will study with hope and love the precise thing to be done by him, considering the climate, the soil, the length of the day, the wants of the people, the habit and form of the government, he will create a house in which all these will find themselves fitted, and taste and sentiment will be satisfied also.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker), Society , The Individual

Page Number and Citation: 35

Explanation and Analysis:

Although Emerson mostly addresses the issue of self-reliance on the level of the individual, the essay is also a wake-up call to American society as a whole. Like many intellectuals of this historical period, Emerson was concerned about the seeming inability of America to establish a unique cultural identity that was distinct from Europe, especially Great Britain, from which the U.S. had been independent for less than a hundred years. This quote reflects the reformist impulse behind his writing and his belief that self-reliance could exercise a healthy influence in the arts. In this particular quote, he points out that Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aper

Society never advances.

Related Characters: Ralph Waldo Emerson (speaker), Society

Page Number and Citation: 36

Explanation and Analysis:

Emerson’s belief in the need for reform in American society is made clear by the numbered list of the applications of self-reliance to institutions in which this quote appears. Nevertheless, his desire for reform should not be confused with the Enlightenment belief that society was on an inevitable march of progress. Emerson’s belief that “[s]ociety never advances” is rooted in his rejection of what normally counts as “progress” according to the Enlightenment perspective. From Emerson’s perspective, the usual signs of progress, like technological advancements, have a negative impact on the individual’s access to intuition, as well as to spaces and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad

Ralph Waldo Emerson Character Timeline in Self-Reliance

The timeline below shows where the character Ralph Waldo Emerson appears in Self-Reliance. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Nonconformity, Morality, and Individual Greatness Theme Icon

Emerson includes three epigraphs, one that translates as “Do not seek for things outside of yourself,”... (full context)

Anti-Enlightenment Ideas and American Culture Theme Icon

Emerson opens the essay by mentioning that he read a poem and found himself stirred by... (full context)

Emerson believes that every individual has a moment in their life when they recognize that envy... (full context)

“Trust thyself,” Emerson tells the reader. The most important realization any individual can have, in fact, is that... (full context)

Emerson believes that the universe has placed before us perfect examples of the best way to... (full context)

Emerson claims that boys, too, with their independent attitudes, lack of respect for authority, and willingness... (full context)

Emerson believes that when we are alone, we can be like the babies and the boys... (full context)

According to Emerson, “Whoso would be a man must be a conformist.” Any individual who wants to be... (full context)

Emerson expresses disappointment that the individual conforms to conventional morality even when it contradicts what the... (full context)

Emerson observes that conventional morality is effectively a toll that an individual pays to belong to... (full context)

Emerson states, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think,”... (full context)

Emerson’s primary objection to living one’s life on the basis of conventional morality is that it... (full context)

“For nonconformity, the world whips you with displeasure,” Emerson writes, and so it would be to the thinking person’s advantage to consider what expressions... (full context)

Emerson says the other thing that prevents trust in oneself is the mistaken idea that consistency... (full context)

With regards to consistency, Emerson reminds the reader that human nature has its own internal consistency, so it truly is... (full context)

Emerson’s wish for his age is that people will finally come to understand how ridiculous consistency... (full context)

Given that the people commonly revered by society were just individuals with complete self-trust, Emerson says, modern individuals should take heart that their intuitions and self-trust are equal to anyone... (full context)

Emerson believes that there is something that draws us to people who live with self-trust. What... (full context)

We can recognize intuition in moments of self-reflection, Emerson says—“calm hours” that reveal the underlying unity of everything. The soul, space, light, and time... (full context)

Emerson believes that the ability to tap into the underlying unity of existence—God, in this case—through... (full context)

...would be better off looking to nature to understand how to move through the world, Emerson posits. He observes that the blade of grass, the rose bud, the leaf bud, and... (full context)

Emerson then explains the central point of the preceding discussion. He explains that his articulation of... (full context)

Emerson claims that society hates that moment of transcendence because it upsets traditional hierarchies and conventional... (full context)

Emerson laments that despite the good that could come from a self-reliant morality, society is still... (full context)

...a whole, which will accuse the individual of embracing a complete lack of all morals. Emerson responds to this possible accusation by pointing out that the self-reliant individual can absolve themselves... (full context)

Just looking at the weakness of society, Emerson says, should make the need for an unconventional morality clear. Emerson sees his age as... (full context)

One can see this weakness of young men from American cities—Emerson calls them “city dolls”— who quit when confronted with any failure or setback in their... (full context)

Emerson then moves to offer specific applications of self-reliance on a societal scale. He believes that... (full context)

Emerson also argues that self-reliance could have an impact on American culture as a whole. Rather... (full context)

Emerson also believes that the mania for basing our identities on what we own must stop,... (full context)

Ralph Waldo Emerson Character Analysis

Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes in Self-Reliance

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Ralph Waldo Emerson Character Timeline in Self-Reliance