Ralph Waldo Emerson and his works

Video on LITERATURE - Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Introduction

• Ralph Waldo Emerson is considered the father of American literature.

• His essays in the mid-19th century transformed America's cultural and artistic perspective.

• He encouraged a break from European literary traditions, stating, "We have listened too long to the Courtly muses of Europe."

• His rejection of cultural traditions led to what was called "America's intellectual declaration of independence."

• He introduced themes of generational conflict and transformation in American literature.

Early Life

• Emerson was born in 1803 in Boston, the son of a preacher.

• He descended from a long line of New England ministers rooted in 17th-century Puritanism.

• After his father's death in 1811, his mother took in boarders to support the family.

• He attended Harvard in 1817 and later entered Harvard Divinity School in 1825.

• His influential aunt, Mary Moody Emerson, exposed him to literature, nature, and piety, shaping his intellectual growth.

Nature and Literature

• Ordained as a minister in 1829, he married Ellen Tucker the same year.

• Ellen's death from tuberculosis in 1831 led him to resign from the church.

• He traveled to Europe in 1832, which had a profound impact on his thinking.

• In Paris, he had an epiphany at the "Jardin des Plantes," realizing that nature was within him.

• Meeting English Romantic poets like Coleridge and Wordsworth, he found them uninspiring, leading to his belief that ordinary people could be great.

• This led to his core ideas: the unity of man and nature, and the uniqueness of every individual.

American Originality

• Returning to America in 1833, he became a professional lecturer.

• He remarried, had children, and appeared conventional, but his ideas remained radical.

• His 1836 essay Nature emphasized American originality, urging a shift from European traditions.

• He argued that the present moment is more important than history or tradition.

• Emerson insisted that America should look within itself rather than to its past.

Self-Reliance

• Emerson believed individuals were trapped by tradition, religion, and societal expectations.

• He urged people to free themselves from these constraints and trust their own intuition.

• He criticized history, religion, and society for limiting personal growth.

• His philosophy of "Self-Reliance" emphasized individual integrity above all else.

• He viewed nature as a divine force, advocating for Pantheism—the belief that God exists in all of creation.

• He famously wrote, "The individual is a God in ruins," suggesting people have the potential to rediscover their divine essence.

The Transparent Eyeball and Transcendentalism

• Emerson described a transcendent moment in nature where he felt connected to the universe:

• "I become a transparent eyeball... I see all... I am part or particle of God."

• This idea became central to Transcendentalism, a movement that emphasized nature, spirituality, and self-reliance.

• Emerson saw God not just in grand landscapes but in everyday experiences, even "snow puddles."

The Ordinary

• Emerson valued the ordinary, believing that everyday life was worthy of literature.

• He wrote, "There is no object so foul that intense light will not make it beautiful."

• His influence led to a new wave of American literature:
• Henry David Thoreau’s Walden found the cosmos in a simple pond.
• Walt Whitman credited Emerson for igniting his poetic inspiration.
• Emily Dickinson and Herman Melville drew from his ideas to redefine American literature.

Legacy

• 20th-century critic Harold Bloom credited Emerson with shaping modern American poetry.

• His legacy is one of innovation, rejecting the past in favor of endless exploration.

• As Emerson put it: "I unsettle all things… I simply experiment, an endless seeker with no past at my back."

Answer the following open ended questions in your blog and submit it in your google classroom:

1) In your opinion, which of the following factors can define an individual's identity/nature: 1) Their Speech 2) Their Behavior 3) Their Choices of Material Possession 4) The things that they hide from everybody. Justify your answer.

Defining an Individual’s Identity and Nature: A Literary Perspective

Identity is a complex and fluid construct that evolves over time, shaped by a multitude of external influences and internal reflections. As a postgraduate student of English literature, I perceive identity as an intricate interplay of speech, behavior, material possessions, and hidden aspects of the self. While all these elements contribute to defining an individual’s nature, their significance varies depending on the philosophical, psychological, and literary lenses through which we analyze them.

1. Speech: The Power of Expression

Language is one of the most vital components of identity. The way individuals articulate their thoughts, the words they choose, and the tone they adopt often reflect their upbringing, education, and emotional state. Speech serves as a medium of self-representation—sometimes consciously curated, sometimes an unconscious revelation of deeper thoughts.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay Self-Reliance, emphasizes the importance of authentic self-expression. He argues that one's words should be a direct reflection of one’s inner convictions rather than a mere echo of societal expectations. Similarly, Shakespeare's characters often reveal their psychological depth through soliloquies—Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” is a prime example of how speech can reflect internal conflicts and existential dilemmas.

However, speech alone is not a foolproof indicator of an individual’s true nature. It can be deceptive, performative, or influenced by external pressures. A person may say what is socially acceptable rather than what they genuinely believe, making speech an unreliable sole determinant of identity.

2. Behavior: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

While speech can be manipulated, behavior often provides a more accurate insight into a person's character. Our actions in moments of crisis, our treatment of those who can do nothing for us, and our everyday habits contribute significantly to shaping our identity.

For instance, in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy’s reserved nature initially misleads Elizabeth Bennet into misjudging his character. However, his actions—his quiet assistance to Lydia, his genuine care for his loved ones—reveal his true nature more effectively than his words ever could. Literature often portrays behavior as the most reliable indicator of a person’s essence, reinforcing the idea that one’s deeds define them more than their declarations.

That said, behavior can sometimes be socially conditioned. People may act in accordance with societal expectations rather than their true inclinations. Thus, while behavior is a significant determinant of identity, it is not the sole defining factor.

3. Material Possessions: A Reflection or a Mask?

Material possessions often serve as outward symbols of identity. The objects we choose to own—books, clothes, art, gadgets—can reflect our tastes, aspirations, and social status. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s lavish possessions are a projection of his desire for status and lost love. His mansion, his collection of expensive shirts, and his extravagant parties all serve as extensions of his identity, even though they do not fully reveal his true self.

However, material possessions can also be misleading. Consumer culture encourages people to use objects as a means of crafting a particular image rather than reflecting their true nature. Someone may own books without reading them, wear designer clothes without appreciating their craftsmanship, or surround themselves with symbols of wealth to mask insecurities. Therefore, while material possessions may provide glimpses into a person’s nature, they are not always accurate reflections of it.

4. The Things We Hide: The Most Honest Reflection of Identity

Perhaps the most revealing aspect of a person’s identity lies in what they choose to conceal. Our fears, suppressed desires, regrets, and hidden thoughts often constitute the most genuine part of who we are. Gothic literature, with its exploration of the subconscious, frequently delves into this hidden aspect of identity. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll’s suppressed urges manifest as Mr. Hyde, illustrating the notion that what we hide can be the most defining part of us.

Virginia Woolf’s Orlando also explores the fluidity of identity, questioning whether our outward expressions truly define us or whether our concealed emotions and experiences shape us more profoundly. The things we hide may stem from social constraints, personal insecurities, or moral dilemmas, but they often hold the rawest truths about who we are.

Conclusion: A Synthesis of Factors

No single factor—speech, behavior, possessions, or secrets—can exclusively define a person’s identity. Instead, identity is a dynamic combination of all these elements, influenced by cultural, psychological, and existential forces. While speech provides a glimpse into one’s thoughts, behavior often reveals truer aspects of character. Material possessions can reflect identity, but they can also serve as masks. Meanwhile, the things we hide may hold the deepest truths about us.

Ultimately, identity is an evolving narrative, shaped by both what we reveal and what we conceal. As literature teaches us, self-awareness and self-acceptance are key to understanding one’s nature. The question of identity remains open-ended—just as each individual is a unique story, ever-changing and never fully deciphered.

2) Do you agree with Emerson's view that every individual is inherently good? If yes, why? If not, why not?

The Inherent Goodness of Individuals: A Critical Perspective

Ralph Waldo Emerson, as a leading figure of the Transcendentalist movement, firmly believed in the inherent goodness of individuals. His philosophy, deeply rooted in self-reliance, nature, and individualism, suggests that every person possesses an innate moral compass that guides them toward truth and virtue. While Emerson’s idealistic view is inspiring and aligns with the fundamental principles of humanism, the question of whether every individual is inherently good remains complex and open to debate.

As a postgraduate student of English literature, my perspective is shaped by both literary and philosophical explorations of human nature. While I acknowledge the optimism in Emerson’s belief, I argue that human nature is not solely defined by inherent goodness; rather, it is shaped by a mixture of innate tendencies, societal influences, personal experiences, and psychological complexities. The human soul contains both light and shadow, and the extent to which goodness prevails depends on various factors.

Emerson’s Perspective: The Divine Spark in Humanity

Emerson, in his essay Self-Reliance, emphasizes the concept of inner divinity. He posits that every individual carries a spark of the divine and, if left to their own devices without societal corruption, they will naturally gravitate toward goodness. This belief stems from Transcendentalism’s assertion that humans and nature are inherently pure and that moral corruption arises primarily from societal constraints rather than from individual flaws.

In Nature, Emerson further argues that by immersing oneself in the natural world, an individual can reconnect with their intrinsic goodness and wisdom. He sees nature as a mirror reflecting the purity and potential of the human soul. From this standpoint, Emerson’s view is profoundly optimistic, envisioning a world where people, if they trust their instincts and reject societal conformity, can embody truth and righteousness.

A Literary Counterargument: The Complexity of Human Nature

While Emerson’s belief in inherent goodness is inspiring, literature across cultures presents a more nuanced view of human nature—one that acknowledges both virtue and vice. Many literary works explore the duality within individuals, illustrating that goodness is not always an innate quality but rather something that must be cultivated through conscious effort and moral choices.

1. Shakespeare’s Exploration of Good and Evil

Shakespeare’s tragedies, particularly Macbeth and Othello, serve as profound studies of human nature. Macbeth, once a noble and loyal soldier, succumbs to ambition and commits heinous acts. His downfall suggests that external influences (such as the witches' prophecies and Lady Macbeth’s manipulation) can corrupt an individual’s moral center. If every human were inherently good, as Emerson suggests, then how do we account for Macbeth’s descent into tyranny? His trajectory indicates that individuals possess both good and evil impulses, and the choices they make determine which side dominates.

2. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies: The Fallacy of Inherent Goodness

In Lord of the Flies, a group of schoolboys stranded on an island gradually descends into savagery. Initially governed by the rules of civilization, they eventually shed their moral constraints, revealing a more primal, violent side of human nature. Golding’s novel suggests that without the structures of society, people do not naturally gravitate toward goodness but rather toward power, domination, and chaos. This directly challenges Emerson’s idea that society corrupts the individual; instead, it posits that civilization restrains the darker aspects of human nature.

3. The Existentialist Perspective: Freedom and Responsibility

Philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Friedrich Nietzsche argue that individuals are not inherently good but rather possess the freedom to shape their own morality. Sartre, in particular, emphasizes that humans are “condemned to be free,” meaning they must take full responsibility for their actions rather than relying on any predetermined essence of goodness. This view aligns with literature that portrays individuals as neither purely good nor purely evil but as complex beings capable of both.

The Role of Society and Moral Development

If human nature is not inherently good, then what role does society play in shaping morality? Contrary to Emerson’s belief that society corrupts individuals, many thinkers argue that moral education, cultural norms, and ethical teachings help cultivate goodness rather than hinder it.

1. Psychological and Social Conditioning

Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory suggests that human beings possess an id (primitive desires), an ego (rational self), and a superego (moral consciousness). The superego, which governs ethical behavior, is largely shaped by social norms and upbringing. This implies that goodness is not entirely innate but rather instilled through moral education and societal expectations.

2. The Impact of Environment on Moral Development

Real-world examples show that human behavior is significantly influenced by upbringing and environment. A child raised in a nurturing environment with strong moral guidance is more likely to exhibit kindness and empathy, whereas one exposed to violence and neglect may develop harmful tendencies. This further complicates Emerson’s claim, as it suggests that goodness is not inherent but cultivated through experience.

The Dual Nature of Humanity: A Balanced Perspective

Rather than accepting Emerson’s view wholesale or rejecting it outright, I believe that human nature is a duality—a fusion of both goodness and moral ambiguity. Literature, history, and psychology demonstrate that individuals possess the potential for both altruism and selfishness, for both kindness and cruelty.

The ability to choose goodness is what makes moral integrity meaningful. If individuals were inherently good, morality would require no effort or self-reflection. However, the fact that people must navigate ethical dilemmas, resist temptation, and cultivate virtue through conscious effort suggests that goodness is not an automatic trait but a chosen path.

As a postgraduate student of literature, I find Emerson’s idealism valuable in its encouragement of self-trust and personal growth. However, I also recognize that human nature is far more complex than the Transcendentalist vision suggests. Literature teaches us that identity is fluid, and goodness is something to be nurtured, not assumed.

Ultimately, while I admire Emerson’s optimism, I do not fully agree that every individual is inherently good. Instead, I believe that individuals are shaped by a combination of internal inclinations and external influences, and it is through self-awareness and conscious moral effort that one can truly embody goodness.

3) Quote at least one line from the original essay which you found relatable and discuss how it can be relevant in today's time.

One of the most profound lines from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay Self-Reliance is:

“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”

This simple yet powerful statement captures the essence of Emerson’s philosophy, emphasizing the importance of self-trust, independence, and inner conviction. As a postgraduate student of literature, I find this idea deeply relatable, not only in personal growth but also in the broader context of contemporary society.

Relevance in Today’s Time

In the 21st century, the pressure to conform has intensified due to social media, societal expectations, and professional demands. Many individuals struggle with self-doubt, constantly seeking validation from others rather than trusting their instincts. Emerson’s words serve as a reminder that true fulfillment comes from self-belief rather than external approval.

Personal Growth and Decision-Making

In today’s fast-paced world, people often hesitate to take risks due to fear of failure or societal judgment. Emerson encourages individuals to trust their unique perspectives and capabilities. Whether choosing a career path, making artistic decisions, or standing by personal values, self-trust is essential for growth.

The Age of Social Media and Individualism

Social media platforms create a culture of comparison, where people measure their worth based on likes, followers, and societal trends. Emerson’s philosophy urges individuals to disconnect from these external influences and focus on their inner voice. Authenticity, rather than conformity, leads to true self-expression and fulfillment.

Innovation and Leadership

Many great thinkers, entrepreneurs, and leaders have succeeded because they trusted their instincts. From scientific breakthroughs to artistic revolutions, progress is driven by individuals who challenge norms and believe in their vision. Emerson’s words remind us that groundbreaking ideas often arise from self-reliance.

Mental Well-Being

Trusting oneself also plays a crucial role in mental health. Constantly seeking external validation can lead to anxiety and self-doubt. By embracing self-trust, individuals can cultivate resilience and confidence, fostering a healthier mindset.

Conclusion

Emerson’s call to “trust thyself” remains as relevant today as it was in the 19th century. In a world that often pressures individuals to fit a mold, his words serve as a guiding principle for self-empowerment, authenticity, and personal fulfillment. By embracing self-reliance, we can navigate challenges with confidence, make meaningful contributions, and live life with a sense of purpose.