Self-Reliance

1) A) They come to realize that they should accept themselves for who they are, not who they are pretending or pretend to be based on the rest of society.

B) Emerson says: “envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide;” he is saying that you’re killing yourself and not letting yourself live if you live the life that is expected by society. His alternative is for you to embrace the real you, and not care what the rest of society is doing.

2) A) Society asks each person for conformity, but Emerson suggests that people should strive for self-reliance instead.

B) He advocates nonconformity because he believed that people should behave as themselves, and not how the rest of society is acting. When he says nonconformity he is saying that people shouldn’t behave in accordance with socially accepted stantards.

3) A) That you should act on your own beliefs all the time, not only when you are alone, but when you are among the rest of society.

B) That you shouldn’t be afraid, and should be allowed to do what you want to. This is something to strive for because it shows a sense of freedom and opportunity for you to be who you want to be.

4) A) They spoke what they felt and followed what they believed in.

B) Great people might be inconsistent because their thoughts and beliefs are changing from day to day because they aren't afraid to show what they believe in. Emerson doesn't think it's important to be consistent, but to rather speak what you wish, even if it changes the next day

5) A) Yes I agree with Emerson because you know and understand yourself the best and should let that person shine, and by doing so you find the true meaning of life. I think that someone that is more self-reliant will go farther in life than those who aren’t, because you are the one person you can fully trust, and trusting in yourself will make you go far.

B) I think they have the greatest impact on society because they will follow their own dreams, and that might inspire other people to do the same and break free from the ways of society. They can change society because they are very passionate about breaking free and following your own path and standing up for what you believe in. I think president Obama has had a great impact on our culture, because people are starting to realize that the color of your skin doesn't matter, but rather your ethics.