What does it mean to be self-reliant? According to dictionary.com self-reliant means reliant on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others. Today in society being an individual is rough because someone is always trying to ruin things for you. However, Emerson gives a perfect understanding why we should follow our heart. Emerson really focuses on this concept. The purpose of his essay was for any audience and for them to learn to find their own inner self. We must try to learn to “take himself for better for worse as his portion,” and not be ashamed of what we have become because we are who we are. Emerson connects well with his audience through his diction and syntax in order to persuade us to rely on ourselves, and only
