Ralph Waldo Emerson urged the population to be “self-reliant” readers. From his different works it is apparent to me that Emerson’s definition of a self-reliant reader necessitates one to not just simply read and repeat his thought and ideas, but rather to ponder his positions and arguments, and then to apply them to their own life and experiences. Because Emerson truly wanted people to read in this manner, he created an equal relationship between …showed first 75 words of 1540 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1540 total…describes the truths of slavery and the concept of a “thousand miles” is much more accurate. The distance from the South to Massachusetts is much closer to the distance of 1000 miles, so this description is not a mere exaggeration. Emerson’s views of abolitionism grew and he realized that in order to be a true self-reliant individual, whether that is through the devices of reading, writing, or speaking, one must denounce the institution of slavery.