Ralph Waldo Emerson from “Self-Reliance” This power point will be printed for you in handout format to allow for note-taking. It is your responsibility to add any comments necessary for clarification in class. Task 1 You are charged with the task of defining and determining point-of-view, tone, style, and examples/proof of each. There are 4 components of style mentioned, a few defined. Define those that are not and find examples of all.

“Self-Reliance” Essay- A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author. Purpose- Emerson calls on individuals to value their own thoughts, opinions, and experiences above those presented to them by other indiv- iduals, society, and religion. TO PERSUADE

Literary Elements: Point-of-view Tone Style Rhetorical Question You are charged with the task of defining point-of-view, tone, style,-and with providing examples/proof of each. There are 4 components of style mentioned, a few defined. Define those that are not and find examples of all. Point-of-view Tone Style Rhetorical Question Rational Argument Allusion Epigraph

Literary Elements Point-of-view Tone

Literary Elements cont’d Style Rational Argument – use of logic and reasoning to support his position - organizes his ideas so that they lead readers step by step to the conclusion he wishes them to reach. Rhetorical question

Literary Elements Style Cont’d Allusion Epigraphs - quotations at the beginning of a book, chapter, or section of a book, usually related to its theme #1“Ne te quasiveris extra” #2 #3 Purpose - stressing the necessity of relying on oneself for knowledge and guidance

Additional Task: Find evidence of each transcendentalist belief in Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” excerpt Individuality is paramount Non-conformity is essential Spirituality is necessary - God is present in every aspect of nature, including every human being. Free thought Confidence in crucial Nature is all important

Key Individuality p.7 “I shun father and mother and wife and brother when my genius call me.”/p.9 “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.” Non-conformity p.7 “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.” Spirituality p.1 “…and our first thought is rendered back to us by the trumpets of the Last Judgment.”/p.4” So God has armed youth and puberty and manhood…” Free thought p. 1”To believe your own thought, to believe what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men...” Confidence p. 3 ‘Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”

Key Point-of-view The vantage point from which a story is told.-- 1st person Tone-- author’s attitude toward piece authoritative Style – diction (word choice), sentence structure, organization Rhetorical Question (used as a technique to involve reader in deep thought, not to answer) p.7 “Are they my poor?” Rational Argument p.7 man as a nonconformist argument ex. 1 Abolitionist, charities Allusion – brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or fictitious, or to a work of art.p.1 Moses, Plato, Milton/ p. 3 Paradise Lost/ p.5 Lethe / p.7 Abolition /p.7 “…when my genius calls me”/ Epigraph- 1.“Ne te quasiveris extra” Latin, do not seek outside yourself 2. Beaumont and Fletcher – Man is everything 3. Emerson- abandon man to nature and he’ll be great