JE34 Theme of Self-Reliance

            One important theme in “Self-Reliance” is individualism. Emerson encouraged people to be unique and listen to their own mind. “Envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide,” he wrote. He also used the sentence “Trust thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string.” Emerson compared one’s heart to striking an iron string. What really strikes us is the truth of the message: trust yourself. Conforming to popular trends or shallow ideas shows no independence. One should do express one’s idea despite others’ opinions.

“Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its member. Society is a joint-stock company in which the members agree for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater.” In order to be a conformist, men have lost their individualities. Emerson concluded that man have to depend on the society however each of them still has their unique perspectives. This shows that Emerson believed society is not a good place to be independent and self-reliant but not necessarily connected to selfishness.

I think the theme is about being yourself and trusting your own voice. To me, this is not a good idea because we thought we knew everything but it is actually better to learn from others’ experiences. Also, I think we can still show individuality and be self-reliant in our society. Though we all have to go to school and do some things that we are not willing to, we can still find the freedom inside. In addition, fully expressing oneself is not possible in this society. There are basic rules to follow. I think the most important part is to find your own freedom within the rules of society and express yourself in your own way.