Self Reliance Questions

1) Discuss the meaning of the verse preceeding the essay.
- Everyman has their own thoughts. It talks about nature (romanticism). The verse shows that Emerson has a positive view of human natures. This verse sets the stage with two ideas: you are an individual and in your natural state you are good.

2) Looking at the entire essay what does Emerson mean by self- reliance? Summarize his major points.
- Self- reliance is using your own mind and not taking other people thoughts/ideas. Think your own thoughts. Being an individual is taking everything in but then coming down to your own opinion.

3) Interpret the first sentence. What does every preson realize at some moment of his/her education?
- You should be mind ful
-changing your shape.

4) "The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray." What does it mean?- We are powerful where we put our focus.

5) What does Emerson mean by "The divine idea which each of us represent."?
- Each of us as individuals representing a whole.

6) Explain the significance of the iron string. Why do you think he used iron and not silk, gold, or silver string?
- Trust yourself. Iron is strong and functional. Silk, gold, and silver is just about looks.

7) Define transcendentalism.
- Rising above from being told what to do and how to do it (Colonial Literature).

8) Interpret the following quote:
"Society everywhere is in-conspiracy against the manhood of everyone of its members."
- Even though we are whole we still break each other down.


9) Interpret this quote:
"The virtue in most request is conformity, self-reliance is its aversion."
-Some requests are to much to ask.

10) Interpret the metaphor, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adoored by little statesmen, and philosophers, and devines."
- It foolds people who don't think deeply.
-Seeming to be a good thing but its hurting you.

11) Discuss the use of the simile:
" Words as hard as rock."
-Words can make a big impact and words can be dense and heavy.

12) Respond to the essay. Write a paragraph stating your thoughts on the essay as a whole.
- I couldn't really comprehend it. But when we went over it in class it made a little more sense. Which made it easier to understand. The essay was very long but interesting. Emerson has alot of ideas that we still use today.