Discussion Questions for
"Self-Reliance"

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Please read about these questions here.

(Page numbers are from the Dover Thrift Edition)

How do you think Emerson would explain the difference between being original and being conventional?(pg. 19)

Why does Emerson call it genius to believe that what is true for you is true for all men?(pg. 19)

What does Emerson mean when he says that we should "accept the place the divine providence has found" for us?(pg. 20)

What does Emerson mean when he writes that society is in conspiracy against all of its members?(pg. 21)

What does it mean to be a "nonconformist?"

What does Emerson mean when he writes, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind"?(pg. 21)

What does Emerson mean by "Thy love afar is spite at home"?(pg. 22)

What do you think about Emerson's attitude toward the poor?(pg. 22)

What does it mean to "do your work"?(pg. 23)

What is Emerson's view of consistency?(pg. 24) Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Emerson writes, "The force of character is cumulative." What does this mean?

"Every true man is a cause, a country, an age."(pg. 26) What does this mean? What makes a man true?

Emerson writes, ". . . all history resolves itself very easily into the biography of a few stout and earnest persons."(pg. 26) Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

Emerson calls the primary wisdom, "Intuition."(pg. 27) What is primary wisdom? What is Intuition in Emerson's view?

How does one live "above time"?(pg. 29)

In reference to his parents, his children and his wife Emerson writes that he must fulfill his duty to them "after a new and unprecedented way."(pg. 31) What does that mean? How can one do that?

Emerson writes, "We shun the rugged battle of fate, where strength is born."(pg. 32) What is the battle of fate? Why do such battles give birth to strength?

How does Emerson define prayer?(pg. 33) What do you think of this definition?

What does Emerson mean when he writes that men's creeds are a disease of the intellect?(pg. 33)

Why does Emerson call traveling a "fool's paradise"?(pg. 34)

"Insist on yourself; never imitate."(pg. 35) This almost sounds like something you'd hear on a Nike commercial. Is this just fluff or does it have something deeper to say? Explain.

"The civilized man has built a coach, but has lost the use of his feet."(pg. 36) What does this mean?

What do the last two sentences of Emerson's essay mean? What are "principles" according to Emerson?

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is self-reliance according to Emerson?

Do you think Emerson is too optimistic? Why or why not?

How do you think Emerson would define God?

Did you like this essay? Why or why not?

With what did you agree and/or disagree?

Emerson writes, "A man is to carry himself in the presence of all opposition, as if every thing were titular and ephemeral but he." What does he mean by this?

©2005-2012 Glen Draeger (all rights reserved)
Millstone Education: World Literature / http://www.millstoneeducation.com/worldLit