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Individualism Vs Transcendentalism

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When discussing values that make the American perspective, whether they come from the Enlightenment (reason, self-discipline, learning through experience, benefits of hard work), or the Transcendentalists (non-conformity, rejecting popular opinion, living for ones own beliefs, equality, and goodness of man), the focus is centered around the individual and freedom for the good of the community. In “Common Sense” Thomas Pain speaks to the values of the enlightenment, John Locke's philosophy promotes individuality and individual growth and thought, “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, conveys the importance of individuality. The values illustrated in American literature from the enlightenment, transcendentalism, and romanticism, reflect my …show more content…

The world becomes exponentially more fascinating if people express their inner-selves, this allows for greater diversity, more to experience and learn. Rejection of the ideas of the masses allows for progress, and innovation. Emerson writes, “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind” (1336). Emerson reinforces the benefits of individuality for the good of the community, by having strong moral principles and being honest, the individual and society will prosper. I have a great respect for the person who lives according to their individual beliefs, and believe that a person isn't embracing their lives whole heartedly if they don't live by their morals and values. Emerson's words resonate in me, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think” (1337). I simply do not have time to worry about what other people think, or what other people expect me to do; living to please others is a hindrance to my development and achievements. I believe it is important to always be true to yourself and your values. If you think about the individual who always wants what others have, always wants to be like others, you will find yourself thinking …show more content…

The imagination is truly powerful, with knowledge we can imagine all of the senses, it allows us to explore situations from various angles, and to place ourselves in future and past circumstances. My imagination keeps me from ever being board, it allows me to form new ideas, and concepts and do things in my own way. I believe that imagination and creativity is a gift that humanity possess, it is fundamental to change and progress. I value imagination because it allows me to have dreams, goals, and to be resourceful. In addition, t allows me to form new ideas, and concepts and do things in my own

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When reading the text “First Hand Accounts of the Great Depression” by Erin Cobb, it expresses what this historical event was. It is mentioned that “The Great Depression was a time of economic turmoil in the United States'' (Cobb). Following that, it is recalled in the text that people began to spend less, resulting in stores not being able to sell their goods. This also led to factories slowing down the production of goods. According to the text, “these were all signs of a recession, or a decline in the economy” (Cobb).

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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 Piece “Self-reliance” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of the most influential writers in America, speaking to the individual about being true to who people are, and not who society expects people to be. He explores the concept that greatness is achieved by rising above the average person; making one’s thoughts extraordinary, instead of just ordinary. He uses strategies such as metaphors, personification, syntax, and more, to shine a light on his purposeful perspective. Emerson applies divine figurative language to express the importance of being who people are when he remarks, “Always the soul hears an admonition in such lines […]” (1) Here he is depicting the image that people are supposed to listen to their hearts and souls, because that is their direction. Warning and counsel comes from within, and listening to that voice is what distinguishes an ordinary person, from an extraordinary one, taking that leap from society, and into the life of the individual, where people listen to

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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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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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Emerson strongly believes following one's own path, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think” (Emerson 24). People can not let others get in their heads. Other people’s comments should not concern one. Comparatively, Mr. Keating emphasizes that being a free thinking frees a man (Weir). People need to stop worrying about what other people think and do.

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If everyone in America conducted themselves, the way Ralph Waldo Emerson saw appropriate. It would have advantageous as well as detrimental results to our American society. There’s multiple ways it can work, there would be less Americans following the wrong footsteps of other people. Next there would be fewer arguments between individuals with opposing views. We would see a mass reduction in racism, homophobia and misogyny.

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Transcendentalism can be described a philosophy that asserts the primacy of the spiritual and transcendental over the material and observational. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, many transcendental writers emerged. Many of who wrote about different transcendental ideals. When comparing the two poems, “anyone lived in a pretty how town” by E. E. Cummings, and “Tia Chucha” by Luis Rodriguez, one can undoubtedly see the differences between some of the transcendentalist values. Although both written by transcendentalist authors, each of these poems branch off into completely different sides of transcendentalist thought.

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Stop Political passivity, but know what you stand for when you actively oppose the authority. THOREAU True prestige is in independent thought as we live in a constantly imperfect world Not to say “down with conformity” for uniquenesses sake, as this would simply be an emerging perspective of circular logic, both conformity and individuality are neither inherently good or bad, but thinking critically on a deeper level, past the surface is an essential part of developing as an individual. Why do we have an attachment to free will and individuality? -useful in

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Though philosophy has had a great influence on American culture, and has shaped the national character of American people. Many of the common values practiced in the U.S. are individualism,egalitarianism and optimism which find their origin in Puritanism of the colonial period. Since, individualism has been deeply rooted in the early American Puritanism, it is best known as the core of American values today. Nowadays, the value of individualism has imbued every corner of American society. Puritanism, being a group of religious reform, keeps the breach of authority tradition and “develops a strong

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Emerson emphasizes, “what I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think... It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion... but the great man is he who

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Emerson implies that people need to be true to themselves and do what they want and what they think is right and not what society says. Emerson was going to seminary school and he was told that he had to follow certain rules and go to church every Sunday. However, did not feel like if he didn’t go to church every Sunday, that he would be any lesser of a person.

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Since the founding of the United States, America has been known to develop traditions as part of its culture. However, most traditions are usually then broken by a person or a group of people who do not believe to conform. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Throughout history, the statement is proven true because it shows that through nonconformists, society has changed for the better. Examples of those who believed breaking away from old habits prove to be a positive change include people from The Women Rights Movement, The Civil Rights Movement, and Immigration.

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Melissa Garcia English 11A Credit 3 Ms. Perkins Individualism in Society Individuality has been a persistent theme in literature for quite some time. The meaning can change depending on the author. Revolutionary Poet Walt Whitman expressed his views on individuality in his poem, “Songs of Myself,” as an identity broken into three parts; inner self, yourself, and the universal soul. Similar to Whitman’s poem, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay from “Self-Reliance” shares the theme of the importance of self growth. In the works of Whitman and Emerson, they demonstrate how individualism is important to maintain within society and should not be conformed by society.

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In all of these occasions people follow society and what it says. People who go against society are feared and seem as threats. Society fears what is different or unknown and is sometimes shaped by that fear. Should one be one’s own individual,different or should one go with society to fit in?

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