Essay and Theme. An essay is a brief work of prose nonfiction. A good essay develops a single idea. A theme is a central idea in a literary work. Think about what Emerson’s central idea is as you read the essay "Self-Reliance."
Aphorism. An aphorism is a short saying or pointed statement. An aphorism that gains currency and is passed from generation to generation is called a proverb or adage. The Greek philosopher Hippocrates first used the term in his book Aphorisms by writing, “Life is short, art is long, opportunity fleeting, experimenting dangerous, reasoning difficult.” Look for aphorisms in Emerson’s essay “Self-Reliance.”
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“Self-Reliance” was first published in 1841 as part of Emerson’s book Essays. This essay is considered to be the finest expression of his beliefs on individualism. It is a combination of different ideas from a journal in which Emerson recorded his thoughts for years. Emerson used his journal as a source of ideas for his frequent lectures. He tested and perfected his style and wording before audiences, noting their reactions. He then condensed his ideas into essay form, as he does here in “Self-Reliance,” for a wider audience to read and reread.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose between what you thought was the right course of action and the course that others thought you should take? What was your final decision?
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