American Soul 2

The American Soul has many different characteristics that define it. In “Self-Reliance”, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, many characteristics were apparent. However, there are some characterisctics of the American Soul that are reflected in “SelfReliance”. Dependence is one of the primary characteristics of the American Soul. Another characteristic that plays a part in the American Soul is insecurity. The last characteristic that creates the American Soul is fearful. When these three characteristics are combined, they create the American Soul. As previously stated, one of the three characteristics that define the American Soul is dependence. In “Self-Reliance”, Emerson never spoke about being dependent. He wrote, “…though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.”(Emerson 209) This text proves that the American Soul is independent, but in all actuality the American Soul is dependent. “Speak what you think now in hard words…” (Emerson 210) This quote doesn’t show dependence because the American Soul speaks its own mind, not anothers mind. The last example of how “SelfRelinace” does not show dependence is, “…and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.”(Emerson 209) This quote shows that the American Soul is independent because the of trying new things by itself. Clearly, the text “Self-Reliance” doesn’t show the characteristic dependent, which the American Soul is. As mentioned above, a characteristic of the American Soul is insecurity. In “Self-Reliance” Emerson, successfully proved that confidence is part of the American Soul. However, the text doesn’t show how the American Soul is insecure. He wrote, “....envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide…” (Emerson 209) That quote shows that the American Soul is confident, however it doesn’t prove how the American Soul is insecure. “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”(Emerson 210) This quote reflects confidence because it shows that the American Soul trusts itself to make right choices, overall making them confident, but there is no sign of insecurity in this quote. “…that he must take himself for better or for worse as his portion.”(Emerson 209) The American Soul accepts itself as it is; it doesn’t try to change, ultimately making them confident, not insecure. Obviously, “Self-Reliance” is not a good represenation of the American Soul. The last characteristic of the American Soul is fearful. In “Self-Reliance”, Emerson proved that the American Soul has strength, and is not fearful. “…,but God will not have his work made by cowards.”(Emerson 210) This quote proves that the American Soul is strong, not fearful. “And we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same destiny; and not minors and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution…”(Emerson 210) That quote proved that the American Soul is not fearful, making it strong. “Nothing is at last sacred but the strength of your own mind.”(Emerson 210) This quote proves that not only is the American Soul physically strong, but also mentally strong, not fearful. There is no doubt that “SelfReliance is not a good example of the American Soul. The above paragraphs reflect some of the characteristics of the American Soul. In the story “Self-Reliance”, many of the characteristics were apparent.