In Emerson’s “Self-Reliance,” three major topics about individualism are covered: the importance of self-reliance, the role of self-reliance as an individual, and the contribution of self-reliance to the society. Together they form an overall impression of independence and nonconformity.

To begin, an example that was given that was a model of self-reliance was children. Because they are so young, they are not able to be questioning to the theories of life. They believe what they think, and they are not hesitant to do what they wish to do at whatever time they want. When compared to adults, children accomplish a lot more because they are less cautious; they do not delay their decisions of what they believe is the right thing to do.

Moving on, being self-reliant as an individual includes following your instincts. Emerson writes that spontaneity is what drives us to success: “The inquiry leads us to that source, at once the essence of genius, of virtue, and of life, which we call Spontaneity or Instinct. We denote this primary wisdom as Intuition, whilst all later teachings are tuitions.” Secondary thoughts detract from our powerful instinctual ability, which would result in poorer choices being made in the future. When people are self-reliant, they believe in themselves to choose what is right from their soul; although wisdom is a factor, it would not alter the final outcome dramatically or significantly.

Finally, Emerson discusses the role self-reliance has in the society. He states that all fortunes are unnecessary. One must feel ashamed of having property instead of feeling more powerful than others. In an amplified view, if one acquired riches in a way that is not honest, he or she must feel guiltier. When life becomes a fight for the amount of property one has, corruption occurs and the true meaning of working in the community gets degraded. Instead, people should live with the bare minimums, obtaining only what they need to survive. The only necessary fortune: “The secret of fortune is joy in our hands.”

In summary, the suggestions of Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” provide the members of the society a better and more beneficial way to live by relying on one’s self over depending on others to do things for them.