Self Reliance, By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson was a 19th century writer who led the transcendentalist movement with his beliefs in individualism and nonconformity. In Emerson’s essay, Self Reliance, he denounces traditional institutions like the “dead church” and encourages originality in thought and beliefs. Emerson perceives nature as a spiritual awakening that allows us to transcend from the ties of society, creating a moment of wonder. Nature serves as a haven for wonder and speculation, which encourages the reader to seek the same benefits and help guide them to this wonder. Nature evokes a moment of wonder for Emerson because it's a sanctuary from the conformity forced upon him by society. Emerson's sanctuary is a place free from societies corruption, where he is able to
In Nature Emerson states, "In the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough, and at what period soever of life, is always a child. In the woods, is perpetual youth.”. The snake metaphor is a biblical allusion to how the Devil came in the form of a snake to corrupt the minds of Adam and Eve. The purpose of this is to represent the evilness of man and how when he enters nature he is reborn and becomes innocent like a child. Emerson values youth and children for their nonconformity and their ability to live life on a whim. These values are progressively washed away by societies displeasure, forcing the need for a sanctuary. Nature is Emerson’s sanctuary because it protects him from the snake (society), which only means to corrupt and blind him. Emerson seeks nature because it empowers him to resist the convictions of society and cast off his corruption. Emerson’s choice of the verb “cast off” implies the action as a grand gesture, displaying the willfulness behind his action and lack of hesitation. Emerson goes on to say, "In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life, no disgrace, no calamity, (leaving me my eyes,) which nature cannot repair.”. In this quotation Emerson