Ralph Waldo Emerson argues that individuals should not be envious and should believe in themselves and their ideas, even if they go against what others think. He states that important historical figures like Jesus, Martin Luther, Pythagoras, and Socrates were initially misunderstood but later seen as important. Emerson encourages readers to have faith in their own thoughts and not fear being misunderstood.

2.  Ralph Waldo Emerson is explaining in this
summary that no man shall become envious
because that is pure ignorance. He believes that
you that you should believe in yourself and don’t
be afraid to stand out when it comes to your
individual thoughts and ideas. He believes you
should rely on yourself and don’t be afraid to be
misunderstood because the past important men in
our history were misunderstood i.e. Jesus
, Luther, Pythagoras and Socrates. Believe in
yourself because you could be the next
important, famous, misunderstood person in our
history.

3.  Biography
 Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in 1803 and died in 1882. Three
principles that Emerson lived by were individuality, independence and
appreciation for nature. Throughout his life, Emerson was constantly
generating new ideas. His literary work made him one of the most quoted
writers in American literature. Emerson was born in Boston and was the
son of a minister. He was adopted by his aunt at 8 years old after his
father’s death. He attended school at Harvard. After graduating, he
became a pastor. As a result to his young wife’s death, Emerson resigned
as pastor just after 3 years. He then went to Europe where he met 3
English writers. Emerson then returned to the United States remarried
and began his career as a writer. His work attracted people of many
ages, but it was the young people of his time who were most receptive to
the thoughts of this philosopher. Beneath his calm, sober demeanor
existed a restless, highly individualistic mind that resisted conformity.
Emerson’s first national achievement was in 1841 when he wrote Essays.
Although Emerson was known mostly for his essays and lectures, he
considered himself primarily a poet. Like his essays, Emerson’s poems
expressed his beliefs in individuality and humanity’s spiritual congestion
to nature.

4.  Self-reliance
 Cesar Chavez had transcendentalist many ideals he stood up for what he “felt” was right and he did
not care what anyone else would think. He led many people to boycott against California grape
growers, protesting poor working conditions and the use of pesticides harmful to farm workers. He
stood strong and protested five years until he got justice.
 DR. Martin Luther King considered a “well known” transcendentalist who had sought to meet justice
for his people. He was the voice for many Americans who called for change and refused to get no for
an answer. Through his time spent trying to make a difference not once to fuse to violence.
 Gandhi led his people in India to non-violent political resistance, later referred as the "Father of the
Nation”. He was the voice twenty years defending the rights of immigrants in South Africa.
Also, known as a transcendentalist because he dealt with social transformation and religious
renewal, also was a self reliant advocate.
 Ex). The pursuit of happiness- Will Smith conveyed a single father working hard to find a job after
losing his house, his bank account, and credit cards. He lost it all because he invested heavily in a
device known as a "Bone Density scanner". He felt like he made the devices. However, they did not
sell, as they were marginally better than the current technology at a much higher price. He went
through a lot to make sure that his son and he was taken care of. He went to the greatest heights to
find a job. He even hit “rock-bottom” to get to where he needed to be and he made it by not relying on
others. He took on a job as a stockbroker, but before he can receive pay, he needs to go through 6
months of training, and to sell his devices.H



8. The woman whom rose up from sexist’s clichés and is
enjoying their sexuality.

9. Journalists that risk their lives to do their
work and keep us informed

12.  Work citations
 Waldo, Emerson. "Self-Reliance.". . Upper Saddle River,NJ : Pearson Education, 2004. 391-392. Print.
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