Essays on Ralph Waldo Emerson

In his analysis of the adolescent United States, Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville suggests that the egalitarian culture of America radically transforms the idea of perfection. “The idea of perfectibility is therefore as old as the world; equality did not give birth to it,…

Thoreau appears to write with a stronger stance on opposing materialism and conforment; I consequently tend to disagree with him more compared to Emerson. I personally believe that material objects are vital to a fulfilling, efficient life and are a sign of success; one is…

First of all, Emerson states that one must occasionally leave society in order to pursue and appreciate nature: “…a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society”. Emerson reports that in nature, he feels immersed, one with God and that all…

Have you ever heard of Gary Vaynerchuk? Well, if not Vaynerchuk is a famous motivational speaker and investor who achieved the American Dream. Almost every day of the week Vaynerchuk is always trying to inspire and encourage people to try something different. Likewise, a quote…

It is undoubtedly a natural and primal instinct that drives humans to search for a universal understanding of our reality. Simultaneously cursed and blessed with self-awareness, we have sought for thousands of years to articulate some sort of connection amongst ourselves, our surroundings, and the…

Transcendentalism asserts the inherent goodness of man for “to the good, (and) to the perfect, he is born” (Divinity School Address 10). His origin is divine and so is his destiny. As he goes through life, he progresses the ladder of divinity. As man continues…

“The Poet”, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, is a short essay describing Emerson’s thoughts on what he believes makes up a poet both in character and in his place in society. Rather than describe a man who simply has the talent for writing poems, Emerson takes…