What Is Success? By Ralph Waldo Emerson

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In the poem "What Is Success?" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson states that "success is to win the respect of intelligent people". Evidence of Charlie winning the respect of intelligent people like Miss Kinnian is when Charlie states "Miss Kinnian says I'm learning fast". Another piece of evidence is towards the end of the story when Frank Reilly says "Charlie if anyone try to mess with you, tell me or Joe and we'll set em straight". Certainly, Charlie Gordon is a success. At the same time, one might suggest the operation wasn't permanent. Though this may be true, Charlie was clearly able to win the respect of intelligent people like Miss Kinnian and Dr Strauss. Similarly, he earned the appreciation of honest critics. In the end, Charlie did