Entry 34: Theme of "Self-Reliance"

State the theme of Emerson's essay, and explain how he develops his theme with figures of speech. Support your ideas with details from the selection. Then explore your own opinion of the theme. Do you think that it holds true today? How about in your life?

• Emerson's essay, "Self-Reliance", aims at telling how society is bad for individual, that society makes individuals dependent on others, and not self-rely. Emerson's ideas are that individuals should be both independent and self-reliant, and that doing this does not mean that one is necessarily selfish. He states this by using figures of speech such as metaphors like "Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members." and "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." Both of these quotes are providing a negative image of society.
• I believe that even though it is important for one to be independent and self-reliant, society, such as family and friends, are still extremely necessary for people to truly be happy. After all, healthy relationships are the second most important thing to prevent ailments when people grow from young adulthood into later adulthood, and finally old age. Also, what happens when your sick and no one's there to take care of you? So generally, it is only half true in today's society. In my life, I believe that it is quite true. The only society I can believe in is my family. Problems with relationships between people in school have taught me that not everyone can be trusted - sometimes you're on your own.