Literary Analysis Essay on Ralph Emerson's Self Reliance

Ralph Emerson, in his essay Self Reliance, opines that truth is innate in a person. He believes that this truth within a person is their genius and that people should embrace it. According to Emerson, when these thoughts are spoken with latent conviction, they become a universal sense (Emerson). Thus, everything that we identify with as truth was once a thought in someone's mind. We determine these to be truths because we have thought them so too but were too afraid to express them. These truths bounce back to us when someone else who was not scared voices them out after we dismissed them. His view is to embrace their truths without external contamination from other people's thoughts and beliefs.

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Charles Brown in Wieland challenges the conventionality of truth. He presents a typical situation, in which most people based on a particular fact would act in a specific way. He carries it out unexpectedly and unconventionally. For instance, the concept of virtues being stronger than vices as is often presented in fictional work, where the protagonist overcomes vices using virtues. Clara laments about how she used to believe that 'true virtue supplies us with energy which vice can never resist' (Brown). She believes that people with sound minds cannot do certain evils, which is a truth that many readers hold. Brown makes us question whether that is true. Brown's work demonstrates that virtues can be as destructive as what we consider vices, posing it (virtue) as inadequate.

In section 30 of the 'Song of Myself', Walt Whitman explains about the concept of truth. The idea of fact is that truth exists and that we try to construct realities through our logic and sermons. These are not, however, the underlying truth which does not need 'obstetric forceps of the surgeon' (Whitman). His writing also suggests and accepts democracy as a form of truth. 'Only what proves itself to every man and woman is so/Only what nobody denies is so.

These three writers define truth in a seemingly unconventional way. They all question the fact that it is in sermons and logic and virtues. Whitman points out that 'logic and sermons never convince' (Whitman). Emerson also points out how things like sermons and religion deny a man the ability to look at the truth. He writes that when one is committed to a particular situation such as religion, their view of the fact diminishes since they are only looking in a single direction (Emerson). Also, this leads to silencing of the intuition, which Emerson believes guides the truth. Religion and other belief systems always provide certain 'truths' or what Brown refers to as virtues. These virtues are expected to outdo vices, a notion that Brown dismisses in his fiction work.

The views presented by these writers are that truth is subjective. As Emerson writes, the truth exists in our thoughts. However, we often silence these thoughts based on fear and other factors. It is those who are not afraid of voicing the opinions that have them viewed as a genius and as truth. Emerson points out that the things we read or hear and accept as truths are in most cases, our thoughts bounced back by brave people. It does not only displays how truth is subjective, but also that due to this personal nature of truth, we should not be afraid to live our truths. Whitman presents an analogy about a child asking him what grass is (Whitman). He then gives different possibilities of what grass could be, from children of vegetation to a uniform hieroglyphic or even 'the handkerchief of the Lord' (Whitman). Therefore, it demonstrates how there can be different views (and also truths) about the same thing making truth subjective.

This view of truth is subjective can be observed in the American culture. First, it is displayed in the concept of democracy. Democracy allows for different aspects of different people to be respected by others who might not agree. Therefore, this points out to the individual truths that each one of us has, and which Emerson is asking us not to lose sight of. Democracy allows for free speech. Free speech means allowing others to express their truths, whatever that means to them. Democracy also allows for freedoms such as religious ones. Essentially, American culture allows for individuals to live in their truths, and in a way, recognizes the subjectivity of truth.

In conclusion, what Emerson, Brown and Whitman are saying is that the truth is subjective. It means that there are no ultimate truths when it comes to people. Emerson points out that our thoughts are our truths and our geniuses, which we should embrace. They all acknowledge the limitation of fact in sermons, logic and even virtues. Emerson points out at the restriction of beliefs, especially if they do not encourage listening of intuition, from whence he believes truth emanates. Brown, in a dark work of fiction, challenges our belief system of virtues and vices and if the latter can be defeated by the former. Whitman also recognizes that logic and sermons do not always represent the truth. Their views are reflected and embedded in the American culture of democracy and freedoms, such as free speech and freedom of worship.

Works Cited

Brown, Charles B. Wieland; or The Transformation An American Tale . E-book, Project Gutenberg, 2013. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/792/792-h/792-h.htm.

Emerson, Ralph W. "Self Reliance." Ralph Waldo Emerson - Selected Works and Essays, 1841, http://emersoncentral.com/ebook/Self-Reliance.pdf.

Whitman, Walt. "Song of Myself (1892 Version) by Walt Whitman." Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version