Anthology on Individual Rights - 1318 Words

An anthology is a collection of works that portray a theme. One prevalent theme that is essential to the world around us is having individual rights. These rights are prominent in â€Å"Self-Reliance†, â€Å"From Bonifacius: Essays to Do Good†, From Poems on Various Subjects. ‘On Being Brought from Africa to America.†, and From Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Chapter X,†. Within this anthology, the reader(s) will discover passages that represent the balancing act of individual rights versus societal rights in America. In â€Å"Self-Reliance†, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the audience can see a theme of a desire for an individualistic society. Ralph Emerson wrote: â€Å"Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist† (935). This statement is†¦show more content†¦Another piece of evidence for this belief is, â€Å"It is easy in a world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude† (Emerson 937). This proves that Emerson believed that it was easier for an individual to follow the example of the men who came before them; however, the world cannot advance if individuals only repeat what others have done. At the same time, Emerson is saying that an individual who follows their own thoughts will live happily among the larger population; however, they will maintain their solidarity. Emerson believed that individuals who do not conform to the ways of the world and follow their own path will prosper. â€Å"From Bonifacius: Essays to Do Good †, by Cotton Mather, demonstrates the belief that individuals who do good deeds will be honored. Mather was a puritan and used his writings to spread his beliefs, such as: â€Å"the kingdom of God in the world calls for innumerable services from us. To do such things is to do good† (Mather 198). Math er used his belief in God to attempt to persuade individuals that if they did good deeds, that were required by God, they would be doing good. He believed men doing good would feel a sense of accomplishment from serving their master. Similarly, he wrote: â€Å"To have done good, was accounted honorable† (Mather 199). On the sameShow MoreRelated Slave Trade in 1807 Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pagesabolition of slavery in 1833, this assignment will consider moral, political,economic and religious factors which culminated into these two distinct reforms. It will explore the influence of Enlightenment; the impact of non-conformists; the role of individuals and resistance from slaves themselves. 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