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Similarities Between Thoreau And Self Reliance

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The American Creed expresses many ideals and principles that are clearly cherished by a majority of fellow Americans. Examples of these ever-important standards of the American Creed are evident in both Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walden by Henry David Thoreau. After reading and analyzing both texts, the reader detects obvious examples of independence, equality, diversity, liberty and opportunity. While both stories have their similarities in these topics, the two authors also express contrasting opinions. Liberty is a standard addressed in both Emerson and Thoreau’s writings that is alike in both mens’ perspectives. In Self Reliance, Emerson writes “It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs,” explaining that through his eyes, society cares not about an individual’s ego and prosperity but instead the individual himself. Society is focused on names and customs alike as they are all unique to each person. The similarities are evident in Thoreau’s Walden as well. Thoreau views liberty as all animals roaming the forest and while all the animals are different, they are all treated the same in the eyes of nature. Ideals of liberty are closely compared between the two authors - their common viewpoint on the matter is that you are your own individual and you are free to do whatever you would like as society/natures view of you will never change. Liberty is an important ideal to many Americans because it gives everyone the freedom to live their lives

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