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Henry David Thoreau's Argument Analysis

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I agree with the basic philosophy of the Romantics and the Transcendentalists for the reason being, it is vital for an individual to discover their own righteous ethical principles and be ruled by them rather than invariably conform to contemporary standards, in order to deter tyrannical rule. As Ralph Waldo Emerson asserts in his essay Self-Reliance “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines ” (Source A), evident in the excerpt Emerson implies that “foolish” consistency deters positive progress, which is adored and beneficial predominantly by people in power, thus resulting in tyrannical rule. Hence, why I agree with the basic philosophy of the Romantics and transcendentalist, for the reason being it is vital for an individual to discover their own righteous …show more content…

Altogether, I agree with the basics philosophy of the Romantics and the Transcendentalists, which is elucidated by Emerson in Self-Reliance by his assertion that it’s crucial individuals should deter from conformity, and rather follow their own instincts and ideas, which is furthermore, strengthened by Thoreau in Civil Disobedience being he argues people should prioritize their conscience over conforming to contemporary standards, in order to deter tyrannical rule, to illustrate Alice Paul part of the National Women’s party chained herself to the white house, went on a hunger strike, thus not conforming to contemporary standards, following her principles in order to have a voice and obtain equal rights for

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Emerson believed that one can’t be themselves if they did conform, as conforming was almost like copying another person’s image in Emerson’s eyes. In this essay, he states that it’s important to believe in your own ideas in order to be a genius. “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men,- that is genius” (Emerson, 19) Nonconformity continues to be a very common theme, as Emerson relates nonconformity to infants. “Infancy conforms to nobody: all conform to it, so that the babe commonly makes four or five out of the adults who prattle and play to it” (Emerson,

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In the texts “Declaration of Independence”, “Civil Disobedience”, and “Self Reliance”, the authors show that individuals shape the society, just as the society shapes the individuals. Individuals often stray away from society’s norms. In “Self Reliance”, Emerson writes about the primacy of the individual, and the importance of the individual, disregarding the expectations of society. He states, “What I must do is all that concerns

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In this essay, Thoreau challenges the rules and laws instituted within America and feels that citizens must not simply follow the government blindly. In the eulogy, Emerson places emphasis that Thoreau would not conform to society and the ideologies that he held could not be

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Resistance to Civil Government (Civil Disobedience) is a dissertation written by American abolitionist, author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau published by Elizabeth Peabody in the Aesthetic Papers in 1849. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was born and lived almost his life in Concord, Massachusetts. After finishing public and private school in Concord he attended the prestige Harvard University. He excelled at Harvard despite leaving school for several months due to health and financial setbacks. Mr. Thoreau graduated in the top half of his class in 1837.

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Thoreau poses questions that get the Americans to think about their conformity; “Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?” By asking this question and elaborating on what they could do to endeavor and amend the unjust laws, Thoreau insinuates that they should not be content to conform and obey them, they should flout against these unjust laws until they have triumphed! He uses this question to shout to all of the Americans conforming; to tell them to show their individuality and stand out. Another compelling question Thoreau asks is: “Why is it not more apt to anticipate and provide for reform? Why does it not cherish its wise minority?

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Exercising your own ideals can be perceived as being rebellious in every society at time. People are expected to act, think, and behave in a way that safeguards everyone’s contentment. Ralph Waldo Emerson has a different view on this matter, in his essay Self-Reliance, he urges every individual to believe in their divine ideal and not to conform to society and its projections. In Emerson’s essay “Self-Reliance”, he urges for every human being to rely on their own intelligence and the genius within to make decision for themselves and to be their true selves.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson, a renowned transcendentalist, shared many universal truths during the period of Transcendentalism, which further advocated the ideals of the period. This maxim in particular expresses that your own identity and perspective of the world is what is most important in the end. Emerson states that nothing is as important as you, regarding the path you choose and the ideals you create for yourself. In other words, Emerson encourages people to not succumb to society's expectations of who a person should be, but instead live a lifestyle you desire to live.

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Active Participant Through Pacifist Disobedience Thoreau's, “On Civil Disobedience”, emphasizes the significant roles that authenticity and activism play in one’s life, which encourage action and renounce determinism. By presenting the main ideas that arise from this essay, I will argue that Thoreau, along with Locke’s Treatise of Government, exhibits ideas affiliated with Libertarianism. In contrast to the belief that a priori knowledge is the only kind of knowledge that expresses certainty about ontological truths, which is independent of external experience, Transcendentalism advances the idea that there is also an internal a priori kind of knowledge which is reliable and expresses each individual’s truth. According to the book, American

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In Emerson's views, people should “not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”(citation). Based on Emerson’s thoughts, people should not follow the crowd, but instead live their lives and leave their mark on the Earth. Emerson thoughts come from a philosophical movement of the nineteenth century called transcendentalism. Transcendentalism focuses on religious renewal, literary innovation, and social transformation (encyclopedia.com). Because of their belief that God exists in everyone and nature, and that knowledge comes from individual intuition, led to the highlight of individualism, self-reliance, and breaking free from traditions(citation).

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The purpose of Where I Lived, and What I Lived for, by Henry David Thoreau is to express that life should be lived with simplicity and with purpose. His advanced syntax and high vocabulary makes this passage difficult to read, while giving the reader a challenge. His use of rhetorical devices throughout the passage also helps convey his message about the purpose of life. In the first set of paragraphs, he introduces that he moved into the woods, so he could enjoy the many things nature has to offer deliberately. He compares humans to ants when he says that “we live meanly, like ants.”

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“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Thoreau said this and he believes that you should stay individual. The era today is better than when transcendentalism happened. Nature may not be better but we are not so much individual and that is good because we can fall back on people. Transcendentalists focused on self reliance and appreciating nature, but people in current society believe a person can rely on other people yet still appreciate nature.

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In the early works of American Literature, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau are considered the two most influential writers of their time. They both were firm believers in individualism and were nonconformists. In Emerson’s writing, Self Reliance and Thoreau’s book, Walden about civil disobedience, both share ideas about individualism and what changes can be made in society. Emerson supported not going along with a group mentality but staying true to your own beliefs. Non-conformists are viewed as a threat to society because they do not go with the flow, they challenge the norm with new ideas and visions.

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Near the beginning of his renowned essay, "Civil Disobedience," Henry David Thoreau appeals to his fellow citizens when he says, "...I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. " This request serves as a starting point from which the rest of "Civil Disobedience" emerges. Thoreau 's essay is particularly compelling because of its incorporation of rhetorical strategies, including the use of logos, ethos, pathos, purposive discourse, rhetorical competence and identification. I will demonstrate how each of these rhetorical techniques benefit Thoreau 's persuasive argument. Thoreau uses logos throughout his essay to strengthen his argument with reasoning.

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Transcendentalism is an idealistic philosophical and social movement that developed in New England around 1836 in reaction to rationalism. Influenced by romanticism, Platonism, and Kantian philosophy, it taught that divinity pervades all nature and humanity, and its members held progressive views on feminism and communal living. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were central figures. This new philosophy created a rebellion and turn away from the traditional societies in the United States. Transcendentalism, started around the mid 1800’s during the Romantic era, had a great deal of influence and similarities on many of the activist movements seen throughout the world.

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Emerson believed that each person has a personal divinity. They are able to listen to their own voice and know what is best for them. Ralph Waldo Emerson writings in Self-Reliance, encourages an individual to follow their own path to a good life, one where they can discover their own moral truth and virtues. However, his philosophy of nonconformity can be a danger to society. Though Emerson believes he has the best of intentions for all humanity he has not recognized how divided the society has become when everyone is acting upon their own truths rather than the ones society has set.

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