Imagine the world taken over by toddlers who yield to no one. In a world where everyone does as he or she pleases, chaos would dominate. In Emerson's "Self-Reliance", he proposes his version of an ideal society where no one conforms to one another. Even though his ideas maintain influential in modern society, his impractical world contradicts with human nature and ceases to encourage any nation to establish such a society.
Even though Emerson's idea is impractical in reality, "Self-Reliance" continues to be studied and scrutinized for deeper meanings by people around the world. During Emerson's time, an idea that influenced many transcendentalists was that to achieve direct connection with the Over-Soul, one must acquire self-reliance and self-trust. Walt Whitman, an influential poet and a transcendentalist himself, was a famous figure who Emerson had influenced on. However, in today's society, Transcendentalism, which is the belief of an Over-Soul, proves to be outdated, as to people now, are more interested in Emerson's ideas of conformity and self-reliance.
Walt Whitman's use of free verse became appreciate...
Emerson
English: Charcoal portrait of Ralph Waldo Emerson ...Emerson's "Self-Reliance" doesn't receive any less attention in online discussion forums than American Classics such as Huckleberry Finn. People all over the world interact in online discussions about Emerson's ideas. Moreover, his essay appears under many American Literature recommendation lists. Not only that, many people in high-school has already read or heard of Emerson's "Self-Reliance." Students in class are also enthusiastic to reflect upon Emerson's ideas. Discussions may recall Emerson's emphasis on self-reliance or the improbability of a community to maintain order if everyone are nonconformists.
The nature of human behavior opposes even the slightest hope for a non-conformist society to take shape. There will always be people who conform to others because humans often imitate those they envy or admire. People are naturally greedy, cynical, and violent; Because...