Michael Dellasperanza October 1, 2011
ENG 2850 – Professor Eversley
Individualism and Imitation
“Ne tequaesiveris extra,” a literal translation from Latin - look to no one outside yourself[SE1]. The act of searching within oneself is ancient in nature. This quote would proisve to be the quintessential meaning forRalph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance.” ,” an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the early nineteenth century. Emerson’s piece outlines the true meaning of individualism[SE2]. Individualism is the power of the human mind; it is the thoughts that come from within oneself. There is a recurring theme [SE3]throughout the essay, which surrounding s the thoughts of an individual with the influences from society. Emerson defines the foundation for individualism as internal, human characteristics found within, the power of the human mind; however, this this foundation of trust and “manhood” is often broken if the individual is unaware of the external influences of educationsociety, resulting in the conformity within society and the destruction in the progression of one’s mind imitation[SE4].
Emerson uses a variety of characteristics to define individualism, all of which can be found within oneself. Emerson first speaks of power, he writes, “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” (1623). Breaking down this quote, it is evident that Emerson wants the reader to acknowledge that there is a “power” within. The first objective is to define what is meant by Emerson’s use of the word “power.” Emerson recognizes the association between “power” and rational thought. It is the power of the individual mind. It is not temporary; Emerson makes careful use of the word, “resides,” explaining that this quality is one that lives inside the individual. He writes power is “new in nature,” something that is unique. Emerson speaks of this “power” as an opportunity “no one but he knows what this is which he can do; nor does he know until he has tried.” This section of the quote also suggests that the individual’s mind as limitless, however one must be willing to trust his/her own thoughts. This new power, individualism, is the power of the individual to think on his/her own and to draw conclusions using rational thought. Individualism proves to be a threat to society. This is the reason society acts intolerant towards one’s individual thought.
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Trust is the next component to the manifestation of individualism[SE6].is essential in the foundation of Emersonian individualism. With this new realization of power, Emerson makes it clear one must believe in him/herself. Emerson writes of this importance with his use of a paradoxical iron string, “Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string” (1623). Emerson tells the reader to “trust thyself,” to believe in yourself. Emerson wants the reader to recognize his/her thoughts from within. He refers to the heart as an object that empowers the individual. When Emerson uses the words, “eEvery heart,” he is essentially referring to every individual. By referencing each individual at the same time, Emerson is evaluating everyone as equal. The use of the words, “iron string” is a metaphor to represent trust. It is a contradictory phrase because iron appears to be strong; however, a string is something very fragile that is often manipulated. This manipulation is the influence from others. It is up to the individual to have the strength to expose theseismanipulation influencefrom otherss, [SE7]which will turn out to be the influences from society and education.
There is another instance where trust is seen as [SE8]an important component of individualism. Emerson explains the value of trust, he writes, “To believe your own thought, to believe what is true for you in your private heart, is true for all men,- that is genius” (1622). There is a recurring theme in the idea of believing in yourself, to think freely and to trust your own beliefs. Emerson writes, “To believe in your own thought,” to think internally, from within your own intellect. Believing in yourself, relates to the earlier argument that individualism fosters the power of the human mind. This quoteT referenced abovehis quote is the crux of individualism. There is a sense of universality, Emerson writes, “to believe what is true for you in your private heart, is true for all men.” He wants the individual is trust that whatever he/she thinks in his/her own mind is true for everyone in society[SE9]. This part of the quote travels back to the idea that the human mind is limitless. Emerson is defining the above quote as “genius,” as something great, long lasting. It is the originality in one’s thought; the word genius has life. One might ask, if this universality is spread amongst all individuals, why isn’t everyone great? The answer lies within individualism’s need for protection from social conformity and imitation. The word genius has life. This is the opposite of what he refers to later on in his essay. Emerson defines imitation as suicide, something that has a definitive end. Suicide represents death, destruction of the human mind[SE10]. The word genius here is being used to represents the all-powerful. Individualism is genius; however, one must be aware of the detriments of conformity and imitation.
Conformity develops through the influence from society. Emerson first writes about conformity with its relationship to manhood[SE11], “Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members” (1624). He uses the words “society everywhere,” to acknowledge that this is “conspiracy” is universal. Society is representing the external, whereas manhood comes from within. Original manhood is a quality that every individual is born with, courage. Courage is a characteristic of individualism. Emerson writes, “Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members,” to show that society plots against the individual to take away his “manhood.” Emerson defines a man as a nonconformist, “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.” Emerson wants the reader to make the connection with manhood and nonconformity. Manhood is again referring to courage, which is a key component to individualism. As a result, if society seeks to take away this “manhood,” then society is forcing man to conform. Emerson later acknowledges society’s rejection of nonconformity, he writes, “For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure. And therefore a man must know how to estimate a sour face.” The “world,” is referring to “society everywhere” and it’s “conspiracy against manhood,” which was evident in Emerson’s quote earlier. The world along with society is a great external force, conformity. Emerson uses the words, “whips you with its displeasure,” to represent the violent action that will come with the rejection to conform. Emerson writes, “A man must know how to estimate a sour face.” A “man,” representing an individual with courage will be able to see through society’s plot against individualism. A man must be willing to take “displeasure” and reject the external influences to conform from society. Within society, individuals are often faced with the external influences from education[SE12].
Emerson speaks of the influence of education, “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” (1622). Rational thought allows the individual to draw conclusions, Emerson stresses the importance of the individual’s decisions by repeating the word “he.” This is not something that education will teach the individual, expressing the limitations of education, contrary to the view of individualism. Imitation provides a means to end which conflicts with the human mind, which is limitless. Emerson uses the words, “Imitation is suicide” to express an abrupt stop in progression of the human mind. He also repeats the word “is,” as if there is a distinct definition, which allows no room for interpretation. Imitation no longer allows the individual to think freely for himself, which ignores the use of rational thought. Individualism fosters the power of the human mind. Education also exposes a weakness within the human mind.d.[SE13]
The travelling of the human mind is a result of education; “The intellect is vagabond, and our system of education fosters restlessness” (1635). Emerson uses the “intellect” to represent knowledge and one’s thoughts. The word “vagabond” means to wander; Emerson acknowledges that it is natural for the mind to wander. However, education creates “restlessness” causing the mind to travel to external thought. External thoughts are those, which are not found within the individual. This ignores the qualities of individualism: power, trust, and courage. External thought promotes conformity and imitation. Education, an external influence, aids to the power of imitation. Emerson defines imitation as suicide earlier in his argument. Therefore, education inhibits the individual from thinking freely on his/her own, which is the ultimate power of individualism.
Overall, there is a clear distinction between individualism and that of conformity and imitation. There is a prevalent battle between the internal thoughts of an individual and their external influences they may face. Individualism requires the power of the human mind to form conclusions using rational thought, trusting his/her beliefs are true for all people, and having the “manhood,” the courage to ignore the influences from society. Emerson defines courage as “manhood,” something everyone is born with. The external influences of society promote conformity and imitation. Emerson refers to individualism as believing in your own thoughts; he defines this genius. Genius represents the all-powerful and long lasting, something that will live on forever. He contrasts this belief with imitation representing suicide. Suicide is a symbol of death, an abrupt stop to the development of one’s individual ideas. The mind is limitless; however, education and society often pressure individuals to think irrationally and outside one’s true beliefs. Every individual requires a protection from social conformity. As a result, the foundation for individualism crumbles if one isn’t aware of the dangers of to imitation. and conformity. [SE14]
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[SE1]Italicize the Latin. Add a sentence explaining who and why this quote is necessary—for instance, do you mean that because its in an ancient language, its lesson, like Emerson’s, are eternal?
[SE2]Define what you mean by this term. Don’t use a dictionary, use your own words to describe how you see its meaning in the essay.
[SE3]What is it? Explain what it is so that your reader can follow you.
[SE4]I see your argument as 1. Individualism comes from within, and 2. Despite its internal source, individualism needs to be protected from social conformity. These are great insights that require more specific explanation. Once you define individualism, you should be able to explain why it comes from within and then why it needs to be protected from outside forces. Even though it may feel counterintuitive, the more specific your argument, the deeper your analysis.
[SE5]You provide an excellent analysis of the quote. Can you finish the paragraph with your explanation of how this “new power” is what you’re calling individualism? When you revise, you might want to think about combining this paragraph with your introduction. You can use this paragraph—and your eloquent analysis of the quote—to introduce your topic (individualism in “Self-Reliance”), and then state your more specific thesis.
[SE6]Right now this sentence looks like plot summary, that is, every reader agrees trust is essential to Emerson’s thesis. Why is trust essential to Emersonian individualism? Why is this a novel idea? Can you make this connection clear via your discussion of a paradoxical iron string? What does it have to do with your thesis?
[SE7]What do you meant by this phrase? How is it relevant to your thesis?
[SE8]This is passive voice and its not the first time you use it here. Why argue self-trust—confidence—using a grammar construction that demonstrates the opposite? Your way out is to be clear about what you mean. This clarity will only come after you refine you thesis. Ask more questions, find more answers that speak to the topic and claims you mention in your introduction.
[SE9]Cool. But if everyone is capable of this greatness, why isn’t everyone great? You ca use this tension to elaborate on your point about individualism needing protection from social conformity.
[SE10]This brilliance deserves its own paragraph as well as incorporation into your revised thesis. It may help to think through the logic of Emerson’s argument: if imitation is suicide, and imitation is conformity, and conformity is mindlessly following society, then genius is life, its originality and it’s the ability to think, right? If you explore the logic in this way, you’ll be able to nuance your thesis even more.
[SE11]This is another interesting claim and analysis that doesn’t appear in your thesis. Why manhood? Try that logic exercise and use it to make more concrete connections to your thesis.
[SE12]In this paragraph, I see you on a roll. Please find a way to incorporate this reading into your refined thesis.
[SE13]What does he mean by education here? Is it somehow related to the function of society? Why do you think Emerson spends so much time talking about the social? How do you think his ideal individual will affect the social world?
[SE14]I can see your excitement in your discussion here. Nice work. As you revise, please consider my comments and questions as a means to help you refine your thesis and clarify the implications of your analysis.