Extent of Emerson and Thoreau sharing similar outlooks
Transcendentalism was a literary movement during the first half of the 19th century. The philosophical theory embraces aspects of self-examination, the celebration of individualism, and the belief that the fundamental truths existed outside of human experience. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) and Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) were key figures of American Transcendentalism, expressed the challenge to all the forces of age, tradition, stability, custom, and prescribed authority. As loyal individualists, Emerson and Thoreau emphasized defending the right of each person to follow his own conscience. A theme common to Thoreau's Walden and Emerson's "Self-Reliance" is the importance of self-discovery and Individualism. This paper will attempt to juxtapose the two works by examining the extent to which Emerson and Thoreau share similar outlooks and what differences can be discerned, while discussing the important theme, its role and significance to each work. Within the introductions of "Self-Reliance" and Walden, it can be concluded that Emerson and Thoreau advocate their works with a similar outlook or way of life. Both authors share the common belief of self-discovery and individualism: In "Self-Reliance" Emerson proposes a
"I would not have any one adopt my mode of living on any account; for, beside that before he has fairly learned it I may have found out another for myself, I desire that there may be as many different persons in the world as possible; but I would have each on be very careful to find out and pursue his own way, and not his father's or mother's or his neighbor's instead." (905) Meaning that he encourages us not to support the poor with money, but to only aid them with their greatest need. Both authors share a common outlook on the subject of charity and the poor. Unlike Thoreau, Emerson gives into conformity with charity and confesses: "What good I do, in the common sense of that word, must be aside from my path, and for the most part wholly unintended. There is no order so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted." (906) It is clear that Emerson is suggesting the readers to embrace this new worldview, by promising them future redemption, and secure their following by implying higher moral character in those that choose to follow. In Walden Thoreau begins by stating his reason for writing Walden and cautions his readers so "they will accept such portions as apply to them. I trust that none will stretch the seems in putting on the coat, for it may do good service to him who it fits" (Norton 868). This caution to his readers is understood later as he encourages the readers to embrace individualism and express 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 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 toil." (551)
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Approximate Word count = 1540
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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