Part 1 – Explore the Context and Analyze the Argument
1 What is the historical context of Emerson’s essay? (Research this if necessary.)
Self Reliance appeared in 1841 during the Transcendentalism period just
four years after President Andrew Jackson left office.
2 Who is Emerson’s audience?
Emerson’s audience is really anyone who is willing to hear the message. The
audience is not just one specific group because his claim in this work applies
to any human being, really.
3 What is Emerson’s claim?
His claim here is that people shouldn’t conform to society and that we should
follow our own dreams and ambitions. He embraces the view of
individualism in this essay.
m
er as
4 Explain the evidence Emerson uses to support his claim.
co
Emerson wrote, “Trust thyself…”, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not
eH w
what the people think…”, and “…the great man is he who in the midst of the
crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” These
o.
rs e
quotes, and countless others, all support his idea of individualism- that we
ou urc
shouldn’t conform to the norms of society and do as we please.
Part 2 – Analyze the Figurative Language
o
Quote Interpret the Figurative Analyze the Effect Determine the Purpose
aC s
Language
vi y re
How does this example affect How does this support his
What is Emerson saying? the tone or meaning? claim?
ed d
No kernel of “Kernel of nourishing This quote is very thoughtful His claim is that we
nourishing corn can corn” means the riches or and contributes to the should be our own person
ar stu
come to him but other successes we might contemplative tone Emerson follow our own ambitions,
through his toil have and “his toil created. Deep words and and never conform to
bestowed on that plot bestowed on that plot” metaphors emphasize the society. The only way to
is
of ground, which is means the hard work we meaning of this quote as well follow our ambitions
Th
given to him to till. must put in in order to be and therefore to the entire though is by working hard
successful. The quote essay. and bestowing “toil on
overall says that without that plot of ground.”
working hard, we won’t
sh
earn anything. If we do it
won’t last long, which is
why Emerson wrote at the
end, “which is given to him
till.”
This study source was downloaded by 100000827039679 from CourseHero.com on 08-11-2021 12:20:04 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/20462430/0302-Figurative-Language/
1 What is the historical context of Emerson’s essay? (Research this if necessary.)
Self Reliance appeared in 1841 during the Transcendentalism period just
four years after President Andrew Jackson left office.
2 Who is Emerson’s audience?
Emerson’s audience is really anyone who is willing to hear the message. The
audience is not just one specific group because his claim in this work applies
to any human being, really.
3 What is Emerson’s claim?
His claim here is that people shouldn’t conform to society and that we should
follow our own dreams and ambitions. He embraces the view of
individualism in this essay.
m
er as
4 Explain the evidence Emerson uses to support his claim.
co
Emerson wrote, “Trust thyself…”, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not
eH w
what the people think…”, and “…the great man is he who in the midst of the
crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” These
o.
rs e
quotes, and countless others, all support his idea of individualism- that we
ou urc
shouldn’t conform to the norms of society and do as we please.
Part 2 – Analyze the Figurative Language
o
Quote Interpret the Figurative Analyze the Effect Determine the Purpose
aC s
Language
vi y re
How does this example affect How does this support his
What is Emerson saying? the tone or meaning? claim?
ed d
No kernel of “Kernel of nourishing This quote is very thoughtful His claim is that we
nourishing corn can corn” means the riches or and contributes to the should be our own person
ar stu
come to him but other successes we might contemplative tone Emerson follow our own ambitions,
through his toil have and “his toil created. Deep words and and never conform to
bestowed on that plot bestowed on that plot” metaphors emphasize the society. The only way to
is
of ground, which is means the hard work we meaning of this quote as well follow our ambitions
Th
given to him to till. must put in in order to be and therefore to the entire though is by working hard
successful. The quote essay. and bestowing “toil on
overall says that without that plot of ground.”
working hard, we won’t
sh
earn anything. If we do it
won’t last long, which is
why Emerson wrote at the
end, “which is given to him
till.”
This study source was downloaded by 100000827039679 from CourseHero.com on 08-11-2021 12:20:04 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/20462430/0302-Figurative-Language/
