Emerson - Self Reliance

Excerpt from "Self Reliance"

"There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried. Not for nothing one face, one character, one fact, makes much impression on him, and another none. This sculpture in the memory is not without preestablished harmony. The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray. We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. It may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise, shall give him no peace. It is a deliverance which does not deliver. In the attempt his genius deserts him; no muse befriends; no invention, no hope.
Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events. Great men have always done so, and confided themselves childlike to the genius of their age, betraying their perception that the absolutely trustworthy was seated at their heart, working through their hands, predominating in all their being. And we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution, but guides, redeemers, and benefactors, obeying the Almighty effort, and advancing on Chaos and the Dark."

Reflection:

Emerson - Nature

Excerpt from "Nature"

"The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence. Nature never wears a mean appearance. Neither does the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection. Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit. The flowers, the animals, the mountains, reflected the wisdom of his best hour, as much as they had delighted the simplicity of his childhood."

Reflection:

Nature is a reflection upon the eye of the beholder and in this means if one is sad, nature is also sad, if one is happy, nature is also happy. I don’t mean that nature is exactly a living thing because of course it couldn’t be happy but it does take on the characteristic that it portrays happiness. I am surprised at the fact that Emerson captured the idea of the link between age and nature so well and I completely agree with his idea that nature is seen as more of a revered surrounding when it is being seen by children rather than adults. However, I find that not all adults are like this; some adults are able to view nature as a consoling environment and treat it with the same appreciation that children do. Emerson illustrates that nature is tranquil and powerful and I admire his quality work describing nature as serenity. I am, per say Emerson’s essay “Nature”, inspired to be more appreciative and accepting of nature because of its serene and tranquil qualities. Through experiences, however, nature can be difficult to appreciate whether it is the complications met through nature’s curious and mischievous animals or whether it is through the harsh conditions of the outdoors. But, overall, I think that the way that Emerson described Nature is pretty much a sum up of the overall qualities of the truth of nature.

Diary:

Dear Diary,

I recently read a book written by Emerson that was recommended by one of my good friends who said that it was a fantastic representation of real life. In reading this book I was immediately cast into a world of past reminisces of my childhood due to the references of relaxation and reverence toward nature. Emerson makes a reference towards nature that allows the reader to see that adults are less prone to enjoy nature than children are. This statement brought to me a sense of realization because it is true. Children are more free and open about things like nature because they don't have to worry about what it truly happening in their world because they don't really live in reality but instead they kind of live in their own little world. I am so inspired by Emerson's writing and will continue reading thigns that he writes so that I can truly understand his writing. I am now going to take a slow walk through the woods and then venture out onto the beach to absorb the true feeling of nature so that I can be one with what I actually used to enjoy instead of watching our society tear it down for industrial purposes.

Nature

Political Extension:

Essential Question Answer:

The impact of the dream upon immigrants is shown through transcendentalism by the immigrants coming over to this country hoping for a better job and better life where as in reality they only recieve better scenery.