Question

Choose one of the main ideas Emerson develops about Transcendentalism in "Self-Reliance." Write a(n) paragraph of at least 3 sentences exploring this idea.

Answer 1

One of the main ideas of the essay on "Self-Reliance" is the self-reliance of the individual.  Emerson asserts that thinking for oneself is more important rather than accepting what is told to you by society.  He compares the ideal state as of a child because children are too young to be cynical and they only think their own thoughts about what they see.  He says we should fight the "maturing" that children are then expected to do because that is being taught to conform to society's norms.  "To believe what is true in your private heart is true for all men - that is genius."