Compare and Contrast Emerson and Thoreau

Online Essay Compare and Contrast Thoreau and Emerson

There exist many philosophies by which many people live their lives. Emerson and Thoreau are perfect example of this. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were both nineteenth century writers who express a philosophy of life based on our inner self. I will examine various philosophies as they relate to Emerson and Thoreau’s attitude toward the man’s plight toward existence and independence. Both authors share same transcendentalism views gives them various similarities in their writing to the point their differences are hard to find.
Both authors are seeking the understanding of their reader. Thoreau’s argument calls for less government and more independence while Emerson’s consistence need for more self-reliance and independence from others. The tone of both essays is very direct about what they are trying to convey. The hard part comes when the reader begins to digest the understanding of what they are sayi...