¶ … Emerson, he believed resistance to conformity and exploration of self, led to a kind of self-reliance that permeated the inner workings and imaginings of the human soul. What began as a simple analysis of self-explored concepts, took on the form of universal philosophy. This essay will examine Emerson's work, "Self-Reliance" in a way that will not only analyze themes, but also provide a closer look into the context surrounding Emerson at the time as well as possible meanings behind the text. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote an 1841 essay titled "Self-Reliance". An American essayist and transcendentalist philosopher, Emerson provides his most thorough statement of one of his ongoing themes: the avoidance of false consistency and conformity. Meaning, Emerson preached for people to follow their own ideas and instincts instead of relying on society's imposed rules and standards. His famous quote, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines" (Bloom, 2009, p. 44), demonstrates how Emerson attempted to examine the self, by criticizing the attempts of the many to follow along. Such interpretations led to Emerson's foundation of universal reliance that furthers one's self-identity and maturity, his main philosophy.

Philosophy

Idealism perfectly describes Emerson's writing. His way of thinking did not take into consideration practicality or feasibility. Like a child chasing a ball in a lush, green meadow, Emerson's thoughts in "Self-Reliance" were that of destroying the chains that bound the individual in pursuit of a higher meaning. While many declare the essay a true work of rugged individualism and libertarianism, many misunderstand the true message behind it. This is because of the lack of consistency and clarity with which Emerson describes self-reliance, which will be explored in this essay.

To be self-reliant is to see oneself as a creator. To understand that one's own actions, one's own choices have a profound effect not just one the self, but on everyone, on the world. "Self-Reliance" teaches the reader (if the reader understands), that the answers are not in the rules of society, but exploration of the rules of within. So many people believe they have no internal moral compass, and that they must obey the rules of the government, of religion, to truly exist as a person, much less form an identity. "That identity makes us all one, and reduces to nothing great intervals on our customary scale. We talk of deviations from natural life, as if artificial life were not also natural" (Emerson & Whelan, 1991, p. 177). Emerson does not believe that to be the case.

To Emerson, the totality of the universe, comes from the act of acknowledging the power of the self. While universality exists, humans bleed, they feel, they live, the power of the individual amidst such universality is also important to recognize. Therefore, according to Emerson, to understand and witness a human's full potential, one must be alone with him or herself, and truly see what thoughts, what inclinations arise. To understand one's self, is to understand the universe. Emerson outlines this in his four exercises for accomplishing self-reliance.

The first exercise, where people misunderstood believe it is a pursuit of individualism, is nonconformity. By devoting one's self to individuality, it is allowing the person to tap into passion, to the rich and often complex feelings of self-compassion and in some ways, self-love. People when they conform, relinquish the self. The self an integral part of the person. It is where emotions form and reactions occur.

Compassion is a sort prevailing theme in these exercises. First it evolves from nonconformity and expresses itself as self-compassion. Then it arises in the second exercise as 'selflessness'. What Emerson tries to explain in his essay, is that compassion, love, these feelings arise not from being told how to feel, but from feeling these emotions and knowing they originate from the self, not from standards and principles. One cannot know that unless one experiences solitude.

Emerson mentioned the Church and how these thoughts that arose in him may be seen by others as 'down below' thoughts. However, he questioned the need to respect and honor the standards imposed by the Church. He believed he lived wholly from within not because of sermons he listened to, but because he himself felt it, experienced it. Denying one's self the ability to disseminate from imposed thought and individual thought, that is the purpose of the first exercise. It is not pursuit of individuality, but rather, pursuit of a better understanding and awareness of the self.

When looking at transcendentalism, transcendentalism is, from start to finish, a religious movement. A third contrast between Romanticism and Transcendentalism is the time frame. The latter did not come into being until well after European Romanticism was beyond its peak" (Wilkens & Padgett, 2010, p. 29). As mentioned, the second exercise suggests a person becomes universal via application of selfless action as well as denunciation of materialistic habits. This is a common theme in religion. Selfless behavior followed by a pursuit of spirituality rather than material goods. However, this is where Emerson's need for solitude conflicts with the action of selflessness. If one wishes to achieve universality, one must be selfless. However, how can one be and act selflessly if priority is placed on solitude? If relationships generate mirrors that confuse the self of identity, then how can this second exercise be performed? So, the exercise then becomes a means of 'letting go' both in materially and regarding connections with others.
When Emerson stated the individual must be selfless, in general he referred to society as being self-serving. He wanted readers to do the opposite of what society wanted. If society wants people to be selfish and conserve traditions, Emerson urged to release these desires and instead declare the truth behind the individual. He shared that people should not hide their tastes or aversions. That people: friends and family, must accept the person as he or she is.

To be selfless in this case, is to let go of social entanglement and express compassion, again to the self, not others. He declared that the act of cutting ties from those that cannot accept the true self, his true self, is not a selfish act, but a selfless act to the self. This can be confusing because it does not seem like it would be truly selfless, nor does it demonstrate practicality. In fact, most of his ideas, especially concerning slavery appeared confusing and lacking a practical political foundation. " . . . Emerson's principle has utility only as a tool for criticizing and purifying the reform movements themselves, not in providing a basis for practical politics" (Robinson, 2009, p. 47). So, if his theories are seen as a critique, rather than practical application, this can be why people misunderstand his claims and the meaning behind the text. Maybe, he believed his thoughts could be applied in a realistic or practical sense. When understanding Emerson's mentality at the time, Transcendentalism and its effect on his way of thinking, everything became a way to pursue one's own purpose in life. To set limits and boundaries with others, in a way, form ultimatum's, it allows the self to expand and grow. That does not seem like something that can be realistically carried, rather simply theoretically examined and critiqued.

This may seem potentially detrimental as humans rely on each other. However, for someone like Emerson, who valued pursuit of the self and finding meaning in the self, this was his way to be kind to himself and continue his life's mission. Emerson seems to want to cut or distance the self from society. The first exercise mentioned solitude and then the second exercise suggests an ultimatum of acceptance that can lead to solitude. The third exercise furthers this by cutting through the veil of construct and ignorance perpetuated by a society that desires to control people.

Here is where Emerson asks the reader to seek out youth in relation to boundless creativity and imagination. He likened youth to belief in the impossible and a sort of carefree attitude towards external events and interpretations. Emerson suggested youth means no walls becomes solid. Anything can be achieved should the spirit of youth be incorporated in one's beliefs and actions.

Youthful imagination thus becomes a catalyst for advancement towards discovery of the higher self. Such care-free selfish existence can appeal to the intellectual and philosophical temperament because it invites curiosity and reduction of self-imposed limitations. Emerson believed connecting with the idea of youth is the most potent way to achieve self-reliance. In a way, he is correct in believing this.

Adults Place so much attention to what they cannot do or what they assume they cannot do, that the restrictions and limitations create further burden down the road. As children, there is an eternal optimism and innocence that leads to removal of walls, nonexistence of burdens, and generates a kind of motivation that is seldom seen as these children become adults. The almost 'deadening' of the self as…