Self-Reliance - Ralph Waldo Emerson - Unit 2 Part 2 - English 2H

Metaphor - example: hard work/rewards

“…no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that pot of ground which is given to him to till.” This metaphor explains that hard work (like tilling soil) will bring great rewards/fresh start (like nourishing corn).

Metaphor - example: envy/imitation

“Envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide.” This metaphor explains that envy is the failure to recognize your self-worth, and conforming to others’ ways leads to suicide. This emphasizes the spiritual necessity of originality.

Metaphor - example: society

“Society is a joint-stock company…” This metaphor compares society to a business where members are controlled by the majority/shareholders. This emphasizes the damaging, transactional nature of conformity.

Metaphor - example: consistency

“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds…” This quote explains how being consistent is being haunted by a hobgoblin that limits intellectual growth. This emphasizes that being consistent is foolish when it’s blind.

Synecdoche - what does it mean?

a figure of speech that uses a part to stand for the whole.

Synecdoche - example: corn

“…no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil…” The kernel (a small part of the whole crop) is used to stand for the whole reward gained from one’s unique efforts.

Synecdoche - example: personal talents

“…every heart vibrates to that iron string.” The heart is used to represent that everyone has their own personal goals/talents.

Theme

The theme is that people should not conform to other people’s ideas and always be self-reliant. Emmerson states that every person must follow their inner intuition, viewing society as a corrupting force that demands “foolish consistency.”

How does this connect to transcendentalism?

o   Contempt for Conformity: Emerson compares society to a business that demands its members to sacrifice their unique beliefs in order to be like society. This shows the individual must reject the popular opinions of society and be self-reliant to achieve spiritual freedom.

o   Oversoul & Innate Divinity: The metaphor of a person having their own “plot of ground which is given to him to till” summarizes the belief that every person is given a unique divine potential and purpose to do different things.

o   Intuition over Tradition: The line about “foolish consistency” means that one must speak what they honestly think, even if it contradicts what they said yesterday. This emphasizes that present intuition is superior to rigid adherence to past words.