Originality and individuality are things that have become ambiguous and misrepresented in today's society. Living a unique life is valued by some, but ridiculed by others. To Ralph Waldo Emerson, living by one's own convictions was highly valued. Emerson wrote maxims about how to live life which had a central theme of self-reliance. All of the maxims he wrote were applicable to "The Night Thoreau Spent
In Jail" and were shown through the dialogue between Henry and Waldo.
One of the most important maxims Emerson wrote was, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." In a never ending cycle of arguments and artificial happiness, one is often faced with the issue of staying truthful to his/her own convictions, beliefs, and …show more content…
In history, examples of people who fit in this maxim is Martin Luther King who believed in his own convictions that may not have been unique, but belonged to him and were not influenced by outside examples. The meaning of
Emerson's maxim speaks volumes when Henry and Waldo are voting. Henry rebukes Waldo and says,
"Cast your whole vote. Not just a strip of paper. Your whole influence!" (Lawrence and Lee 84). The reason why Henry confronted Waldo was due to the fact that he wanted Waldo to give his thought before voting, while Waldo was just voting for the majority. The importance that Henry wanted to express to Waldo relates to the maxim. Waldo lacks the integrity of his own mind. Waldo did not think first before voting. He does not value the uniqueness of his views and submits to what society wants.
He essentially loses what makes up his existence. Another example includes a confrontation between
Deacon Ball and Henry. They are arguing about using the school text versus teaching from one's own opinions. The most important part of the argument arrives when Henry says, "It will be a human opinion" (Lawrence and Lee 18). By saying "a human opinion" Henry is basically saying that books
In Jail" and were shown through the dialogue between Henry and Waldo.
One of the most important maxims Emerson wrote was, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." In a never ending cycle of arguments and artificial happiness, one is often faced with the issue of staying truthful to his/her own convictions, beliefs, and …show more content…
In history, examples of people who fit in this maxim is Martin Luther King who believed in his own convictions that may not have been unique, but belonged to him and were not influenced by outside examples. The meaning of
Emerson's maxim speaks volumes when Henry and Waldo are voting. Henry rebukes Waldo and says,
"Cast your whole vote. Not just a strip of paper. Your whole influence!" (Lawrence and Lee 84). The reason why Henry confronted Waldo was due to the fact that he wanted Waldo to give his thought before voting, while Waldo was just voting for the majority. The importance that Henry wanted to express to Waldo relates to the maxim. Waldo lacks the integrity of his own mind. Waldo did not think first before voting. He does not value the uniqueness of his views and submits to what society wants.
He essentially loses what makes up his existence. Another example includes a confrontation between
Deacon Ball and Henry. They are arguing about using the school text versus teaching from one's own opinions. The most important part of the argument arrives when Henry says, "It will be a human opinion" (Lawrence and Lee 18). By saying "a human opinion" Henry is basically saying that books