“Our anniversary is one of hope, and, perhaps, not enough of labor.” Ralph Waldo Emerson addressed the 1837 incoming class of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
He spoke about how the American scholar should rely on oneself to make advancements and not be dependent on others. Emerson uses methods of argumentation, literary elements, and Romantic and Transcendental elements to convey the message of self-reliance.
First, throughout the speech, Emerson uses methods of argumentation, particularly deductive and inductive reasoning. He begins his deductive reasoning by saying: “Young men of the fairest promise, who begin life upon our shores, inflated by the mountain winds, shined upon by all the stars of God, find the earth below not in unison with these, — but are hindered from action by the disgust which the principles on which business is managed inspire, and turn drudges, or die of disgust, — some of them suicides. What is the remedy?
They did not yet see, and thousands of young men as hopeful now crowding to the barriers for the career, do not yet see, that, if the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.” When Emerson begins that quote, he conveys the message that, in adulthood, one cannot trust others, and afterwards, he goes on to say that people hate jobs.
The Essay on Ralf Waldo Emerson Man Hodgins Thomas
... quote says that it has something to tell him. Emerson's stream symbolizes man. This method of personification helps give importance and ... white man, black man, red man, yellow man. Let us offer hospitality, a fair field and justice for all." [Thomas- 258]Analysis Though Emerson's ... which still awaited him." [Hesse- 100] Emerson agrees with this when he says, "Man is a stream whose source is hidden... ...
This makes the listener think: then why do people not quit their jobs? Finally, he arrives at his conclusion that if “you want to see,” you need to change. This deductive reasoning works as a syllogism, since he states one truth: that people do not like their jobs, and another truth: that unhappy people do not succeed, to end up with his final statement: that unless people enjoy what they are doing and do it for themselves, they will not succeed.
Emerson relays the message that if one wants to succeed, one must change and not rely on others. Ultimately, one must make his or her own advancements and change for the better. He also uses inductive reasoning when he stated: “Our day of dependence, our long apprenticeship to the learning of other lands, draws to a close.
The millions, that around us are rushing into life, cannot always be fed on the sere remains of foreign harvests. Events, actions arise, that must be sung, that will sing themselves. Who can doubt, that poetry will revive and lead in a new age, as the star in the constellation Harp, which now flames in our zenith, astronomers announce, shall one day be the pole-star for a thousand years?”
In this argumentative quote, Emerson tells of how America’s days of dependence will end. His goal with this quote was to show the scholars that, like America itself, they should rely more on themselves and less on others.
Furthermore, Emerson uses literary elements to convey his rhetorical purpose. He frequently used allegories and allusions throughout the speech. He uses an allusion when he states “we do not meet for games of strength or skill, for the recitation of histories, tragedies, and odes, like the ancient Greeks”.
He goes on to use an allegory to describe his purpose of the allusion: “…when the sluggard intellect of this continent will look from under its iron lids, and fill the postponed expectation of the world with something better than the exertions of mechanical skill”.
The allegory of the iron lids showed that Americans were lazy and not self reliant. He used the allusion of the self-reliant Greeks to compare to dependent America. In essence, Emerson is telling the scholars that the ancient Greeks were strong because they had individuality, and if the scholars possess individuality, then they too can be strong. Moreover, Emerson uses transcendental and romantic elements to prove his purpose of self-reliance.
The Essay on The American Dream People America Liberty
~ The American Dream ~ What is the American Dream? We all have dreams of different kinds. To some people, the American Dream is having all that is available in this life to meet tour needs, wants, and desires. To others, it means having a great job, a wonderful family, and a secure future. And maybe to others the American Dream simply means having the opportunity to prove yourself. No matter what ...
Using one romantic element, Emerson states “A nation of men will for the first time exist, because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men” which places emphasis on a spiritual aspect rather than a material aspect of the world. Emerson sends the message that with spiritual ideas, one can become more familiar with individuality.
One transcendental element Emerson uses is in the quote “the spirit of the time American freeman is already suspected to be timid, imitative, tame.” This shows that although the American is suspected to be “timid,” he can overcome this assumption and reach higher goals. Emerson attempts to show the audience that one can be more successful if he or she has individuality and is not dependent on others.
In conclusion, through argumentative elements, iterary elements, and transcendental and romantic elements, Emerson shows how the American scholar should be self-reliant and independent of others. He was intending to give this advice to his audience so that they could be individuals and create their own paths in life. He hoped that the scholars would take his guidance and ultimately steer America in the right direction—away from dependence on foreign nations.
