Self-Reliance

5.

I strongly agree with the thesis presented in Self-Reliance. It describes the need for every human being to be in touch with their own true self. It tells the reader of the importance of accepting who you are instead of trying to be someone else. i.e. "...Imitation is suicide..." The thought that imitation is suicide is something that resonates very strongly in the world today where most of the world strives to gain some sort of acceptance from society and their peers.

6.

Self-Reliance is a fantastic example of transcendentalism because of it's focus of becoming closer to God through knowing thyself.

"We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of represents. It may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards."

This quote identifies that Emerson believes that God has endowed every human being with a transcendent spirit that is to be used in it's own unique way by each of us to greater glorify God.