When they were first written and published, Emerson’s ideas presented individuals with a new sense of purpose and control in their own lives. Instead of being subject to society or institutions, individuals could look to nature and to themselves to find a sense of the divine and to construct a meaningful life.
Many of Emerson’s ideas still resonate with people today. Recall or review some of Emerson’s statements in “Self-Reliance.” Which ones most directly apply to your own life or to the society around you? How might Emerson’s words help people navigate the problems and issues of today? Choose one quotation from the essay and explain what it means and how it has relevance for you personally or for modern society.