from “Self-Reliance” (p.84-85 in your packet)
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Points to Ponder
You may type your answers or print this document and handwrite them. Either way, you’ll need to annotate the text.
1. According to the first sentence in paragraph, what does every person realize at some moment in his or her education?
2. According to paragraph 3 (beginning “Trust thyself . . .”), what is the destiny of every human being?
3. Explain what Emerson thinks of society as a whole, according to the paragraph that begins “These are the voices. . .”
4. What is the opposite of “self-reliance,” according to that same paragraph?
5. In the paragraph that begins “Whoso would be a man,” what does Emerson see as the most sacred aspect of a person?
6. What does Emerson think of people who call for consistency in thought and action and who fear being misunderstood?
7. What do you think Emerson meant by “the divine idea which each of us represents”?
8. How do you think self-reliance differs from selfishness or self-centeredness?
9. Suppose this essay were to be delivered as a major political address during a Presidential campaign today. How do you think people would respond?
10. Which of Emerson’s ideas are most significant today? Are any of his ideas dated?
Emerson makes many of his points through a series of figures of speech. What does he compare with these ordinary things and events?
a. planting corn -
b. an iron string -
· What do you think is the significance of the word iron to describe the string? How would the effect and meaning differ if the string were described as silken, golden, or silver?
c. clay -
d. a stock-company -
e. cannon balls -
The most famous metaphor in “Self-Reliance” is the one that opens the final paragraph on p. 85. How would you explain what Emerson means by this metaphor? What exactly is a hobgoblin? What is a “little mind”? What would a “wise” consistency be? What would a foolish consistency be?