Nonconformity In Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance '

Calvin and Hobbs on Significance #6
This cartoon shows the idea of nonconformity. Nonconformity is the concept of standing out and not following the actions or “norms” of other people. Calvin is showing this in the cartoon by yelling out into the universe “I’m significant”. Then the narrative goes on to say that Calvin in just a speck of dust in the big picture. Even though Calvin is something very small in the world, he explains that he is still worth something. I think Calvin is trying to explain how even though he is so small, he still can stick out from society and be his own individual. In an excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Self-Reliance, he states “Whoso whould be a man must be a non-conformist.” In this quote, Emerson is explaining that to be a man, or be mature, one must follow his own path and not conform to those of others. Also within this excerpt, Emerson writes “The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion.” Emerson is …show more content…
He feels as if his life is not serving a purpose or having meaning. He is thinking to himself where he would like to be, and how he could possibly get there. Henry David Thoreau answers this question in his writing, from Walden, or Life in the Woods. Thoreau states, “...if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success in common hours.” Thoreau is emphasizing that if one has a strong work ethic, mindset, and goal, they will see results in what feels like an instant. Charlie is like most people in society, and Thoreau clearly describes a way to succeed that will make people stop questioning their purpose. By having dreams, and making them come true, it gives lives meaning and reason to exist. This cartoon relates to society today, and Thoreau gives advice on the transcendentalist idea that people working toward their goals will be the ones that