Ralph Waldo Emerson's Legacy
The Legacy of Emerson “To be great is to be misunderstood” (Emerson, “Self-Reliance”). Throughout his lifetime, Ralph Waldo Emerson worked to progress American literature. Emerson was a pioneer of transcendentalism and stressed the importance of being oneself in a world full of conformity. He believed following one’s intuition was the way to find success and lasting happiness. Emerson, “. . . believed in people . . .” and “. . . raised everyone to his own level” (“Emerson’s Declining Years”). The popular works of Emerson and his lasting impact on American authors provide proof of his legacy. Ralph Waldo Emerson influenced American culture by encouraging originality and supporting the ideas of all people. Ralph Waldo Emerson believed
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. .” and “. . . imitation is suicide . . .”. Truly accepting oneself is the first step to finding satisfaction, happiness, and potentially changing the world. Until one realizes their own worth and embraces their talents, they will forever remain in the shadows of others’ successes. Listening to one’s intuition and avoiding selfism leads to proper behavior and morally sound decisions. When a person fails to hear their intuition, they succumb to the knowledge and behavior of the people around them. Change and reform are impossible without people who challenge the status quo. According to Emerson, “You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it” (“Self-Reliance”). No one can control the life of another person; only the other person knows the decisions they must make in order to follow their heart and better themselves. People will insult, ridicule, and scoff at those who think and act differently, but …show more content…
One can see the influence of Emerson in the writings of Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, James Russell Lowell, Margaret Fuller, and countless others (“Ralph Waldo Emerson”). These authors idolized Emerson and viewed him as the leading force in the advancement and transformation of American literature. In a letter to Emerson, Walt Whitman wrote, “I say that none has ever done, or ever can do, a greater deed for The States than your deed.” Emerson was highly respected and regarded as a pioneer in literature. Emerson paved the way for other authors to express themselves and create monumental literary works. Emerson’s predecessors continued to challenge the existing state of affairs in order to create a better world for generations to come. In the closing of Walt Whitman’s letter to Emerson, he promises, “Receive, dear Master . . . that we demand to take your name into our keeping, and that we understand what you have indicated, and find the same indicated in ourselves, and that we will stick to it and enlarge upon it through These States.” Ralph Waldo Emerson was a literary icon in the 1800s, and his revolutionary ways of thought would prove to stand the test of
. .” and “. . . imitation is suicide . . .”. Truly accepting oneself is the first step to finding satisfaction, happiness, and potentially changing the world. Until one realizes their own worth and embraces their talents, they will forever remain in the shadows of others’ successes. Listening to one’s intuition and avoiding selfism leads to proper behavior and morally sound decisions. When a person fails to hear their intuition, they succumb to the knowledge and behavior of the people around them. Change and reform are impossible without people who challenge the status quo. According to Emerson, “You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it” (“Self-Reliance”). No one can control the life of another person; only the other person knows the decisions they must make in order to follow their heart and better themselves. People will insult, ridicule, and scoff at those who think and act differently, but …show more content…
One can see the influence of Emerson in the writings of Walt Whitman, Henry David Thoreau, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, James Russell Lowell, Margaret Fuller, and countless others (“Ralph Waldo Emerson”). These authors idolized Emerson and viewed him as the leading force in the advancement and transformation of American literature. In a letter to Emerson, Walt Whitman wrote, “I say that none has ever done, or ever can do, a greater deed for The States than your deed.” Emerson was highly respected and regarded as a pioneer in literature. Emerson paved the way for other authors to express themselves and create monumental literary works. Emerson’s predecessors continued to challenge the existing state of affairs in order to create a better world for generations to come. In the closing of Walt Whitman’s letter to Emerson, he promises, “Receive, dear Master . . . that we demand to take your name into our keeping, and that we understand what you have indicated, and find the same indicated in ourselves, and that we will stick to it and enlarge upon it through These States.” Ralph Waldo Emerson was a literary icon in the 1800s, and his revolutionary ways of thought would prove to stand the test of