Blog Post 3- Emerson and Thoreau

In paragraph 5 of Emerson’s Divinity School Address, Emerson expresses the importance of self-reliance through the theme of religion. Emerson, in his “Divinity School Address,” paragraph 5 discusses the laws of morality, when he writes, “if a man is at heart just, then in so far is he God; the safety of God, the immortality of God, the majesty of God do enter into that man with justice”. Emerson explains that the best way to be faithful is by practicing one’s faith through exemplifying universal truths. One of these Universal Truths is giving rather than receiving. Being just and expressing good morals could lead to a more virtuous life. I think that Emerson is suggesting that self-reliance is the most practical and best way to become more virtuous. Emerson’s ideas are interesting because they do not favor the views of many. Emerson suggests that practicing self-reflection is the only way to get closer to God; this contradicts the popular view that going to church and practicing a religion is the only way to get closer to God. Introspection leads to finding one’s values, which could lead to the practice of these virtues, which could in turn, make someone more virtuous and thus closer to God.

Thoreau and Emerson’s writings both share the theme of self-reliance. Thoreau claims that self-reliance and introspection are important when fighting against the oppression of minority groups caused by a tyrannical government. Thoreau, in his “Resistance to Civil Government,” chapter 5 discusses the abuse of power of the government, when he writes, “Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward.” Thoreau argues that it is more important to respect each other than to respect the law. Since the government is upholding unjust laws it is just and right to go against these laws. In order to accomplish this one needs to rely on one’s self to vote instead of a majority. Thoreau uses emotion to emphasize his point that civil disobedience through self-self reliance is the first step for stirring up a revolution.

4 thoughts on “Blog Post 3- Emerson and Thoreau”

  1. You’re exploring some important themes here. One of the interesting things about Emerson, in the passage you quote, is that he actually seems less interested in virtuous behavior, and more interested in what kinds of attitudes and actions make a person share in the essence of god (as in actually being a kind of “God”). It’s a strange kind of reversal from Franklin, who is very focused on behavior, rather than essences.

    Good observation that both authors are interested in self-reliance! And both have a kind of break-the-rules ethos.

  2. Emerson and Thoreau are two key figures in the history of American literature. Each has left an indelible mark on American culture. Emerson wrote Nature, which is one of the most influential essays ever written in the English language. Thoreau’s Walden, which is also a seminal work, had a profound effect on American society in general and on our understanding of nature itself. I am thinking to play $1 deposit casino because I know it is the only way to earn money online and have fun at the same time.

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