American Lit

Hughes

Emerson and Thoreau

and their Perspectives of Transcendentalism

Imagine a world where each individual thought for himself, not allowing other

outside influences to mold his ideas. We currently live in a society in which a single clip

on television, quote from a newspaper, or opinion from a peer can consequently

determine how one thinks or the outlook they have on a topic.

In "Self-Reliance," Emerson states, "A man should learn to detect and watch that

gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than luster of the

firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his thought, just because

it is his." In this quote Emerson is elaborating on the idea that we must all exude

intellectual independence and nonconformity. Why do we rely on others to determine the

way we think, act, dress and speak? Thoreau and...