“THE FOUL REIGN OF EMERSON’S ‘SELF-RELIANCE’” MICROTHEME NOTES:

• Range – 2.5-8.5 (numbers at end of microtheme in turnitin.com = AP Score (9-1),

as well as points received out of 50. E.g. 5.5/41.5).

• Prompt: Analyze how Anastas’s use of rhetorical strategies contributes to his

purpose. Consider how the text itself is an example of transcendental ideas, and

pay close attention to diction and tone.

• Third level analysis = clear idea of Anastas’s purpose! Throughout your

microtheme, you must not only identify the rhetorical strategies he employs and

support them with specific evidence, BUT ALSO relate back to the PURPOSE .

Why are these rhetorical strategies effective in conveying his purpose? That

question MUST BE CLEAR to produce a cogent analysis!

Sample thesis statements: Effective or ineffective and why…

“The Foul Reign of Emerson’s ‘Self-Reliance’” by Benjamin Anastas refers to the

topic of self-reliance and how society is changing because of it.

Anastas’s use of Transcendental ideas and rhetorical strategies such as

anecdotes contribute to his purpose of the concept of “Self-Reliance” and

Anastas’s view on the concept.

Anastas exposes “Self-Reliance” with multiple rhetorical devices in order to

denounce its core ideas and trace its effects upon American ideals.

Thanks, Chase!

In “The Foul Reign of Emerson’s ‘Self-Reliance’”, Benjamin Anastas utilizes

logos and pathos to persuade the reader that Emerson’s ideas are heavily flawed;

conveying his ideas with cynical diction.

Thanks, Nicole!

Effective weaving of strategy, evidence, and purpose:

Loaded diction works in tandem with devices such as epiplexis, present in the

quote “Is there anything worth salvaging among the spiritualist ramblings, obscure

metaphysics and aphorisms so pandering that Joel Osteen might think twice about

delivering them?” to berate Emerson and smear his radical ideals (Anastas).

Thanks, Mariah M.!

Remember a powerful concluding sentence:

Anastas recognizes this and so through apostrophe, distinctio, and categoria

strives to rouse fellow Americans to be cognizant of this phenomenon so that they

may be able to endeavor to amend their practices in order to reinitiate the original

ideals of transcendentalism, as Emerson once romanticized with the same zealous,

iconoclastic fervency.

Thanks, Mariah W.!

Let’s take a look at a few sample microthemes (show don’t tell).

Intense diction, an elevated tone, and historical allusion contribute to Anastas’ refutation of Emerson’s

claim that self-reliance is more valuable than empirical research and logical thinking. It’s clear that

the audience values these rational thought processes through Anastas’ elevated diction and tone as he

tries to emulate these principles. Anastas employs intense diction in the introductory paragraphs to

convey the same conviction Emerson had in “Self-Reliance” as an ironic mockery of the book’s

preachings. With phrases like “high flown pap”, “impenetrable self-confidence”, and “real hokum”

the oncoming criticism of Emerson’s philosophy is immediately made clear to the reader.

Occasionally he strays from a Logos driven argument, instead committing fallacies such as personal

incredulity, black or white, and ad hominem: “Its Emerson again, skulking through Harvard Yard in his

cravat and greasy undertaker’s waistcoat, while in his mind he’s trailing silken robes fit for Zoroaster

and levitating on the grass” (Anastas 2). The author alludes to various other texts and historical events

to convey the absurdity and narcissism of being totally self-reliant most notably at the conclusion of

the article when he discusses Apple’s famous “Think Different” ad. “The ad evokes the ideal first

created by Emerson of a rough-hewed outsider who changes the world through a combination of

courage, tenacity, resourcefulness, and that God-given wild card, genius” (Anastas 3). This dismissive

statement can serve to exemplify Anastas’ claim that congenital whims or quirky personal choices

shouldn’t be given priority over research and experience. Finally, it’s difficult to read the article and

not get a sense of irony in the fact that he is exercising his personal opinion at the cost of the man who

imbued that very sense of self-confidence in society which led to the completion of a commentary

such as this one. “Self-Reliance” legitimizes this piece of writing and in the end Anastas’ opinion is

rendered meaningful because of core values of the transcendental movement, most notably

Individualism. Ultimately the authorial purpose is to dissuade the general public from taking

Emerson’s ideology to heart that uses individual liberty to justify itself in what he implies is a circular

argument.

Thanks, Tara!

Benjamin Anastas’ rhetorical strategies such as critical diction and tone, anecdotal evidence, and

rhetorical questions contribute to his purpose of rebuking Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” as

“the most pernicious piece of literature in the American canon” (Anastas 1). Anastas establishes

immediately his opinion of “Self-Reliance” with an anecdote, highlighting his “first exposure” to the

piece’s “high-flown pap” in the school of his youth (Anastas 1). His teacher was an apparent imbecile

who had been swayed by the piece’s folly, having “merely fallen under the spell” of Emerson’s

handiwork. The fact that Anastas himself has borne witness to the “promise of orgiastic communion”

of transcendentalism in modern society is meant to lend some sort of credibility to himself. The

presence of such phrases as “high flown pap,” “goads,” and “rank insincerity,” exemplify harsh diction

that contributes to a tone highly debasing to Emerson as a manipulative and impulsive author. The

greatest sting of vehemence comes in the fifth paragraph of Anastas’ jeremiad, in which he

rhetorically questions the symptoms of the illness that is “Self-Reliance.” Evidence of the author’s

purpose and methods of achieving it are made clearer nowhere else: “The plague of devices that keep

us staring into the shallow puddle of our dopamine reactions, caressing our touch screens for another

fix of our own importance…all started with Emerson’s ‘Self-Reliance’” (Anastas 1). Anastas effectively

portrays the mundane habit of habitually checking one’s phone as veritable substance abuse, all

through potent diction, contributing to a derisive tone. This tone regards anyone who subscribes to

Emersonian values as one who, “ignores volumes of evidence in favor of the flashes that meet the

eye,” an ignoramus (Anastas 1). Anastas’ later anecdote of the “Think Different” ad for Apple further

echoes Emersonian ideas, and clarifies that the ideas represented in “Self-Reliance” are still alive

and kicking. The commercial emphasizes Emerson’s dream of the “rough-hewed outsider,” who, by

living outside of the constraints and expectations of the world, managed to change it for the better

(Anastas 3). Referencing the influence of Emerson in terms of his impact on the author’s own life

again stresses the apparent issues of applying a century-old philosophy to modern society. In

retrospectively analyzing the effect of “Self-Reliance” on his own life, as well as through diction and

tone that criticize the subject, Benjamin Anastas strives to refute Emerson’s philosophy stressed in

his piece.

Thanks, Nick!

In his article “The Foul Reign of ‘Self-Reliance’”, Benjamin Anastas employs bombastic diction

and an analytically negative tone to trivialize Ralph Waldo Emerson’s transcendentalist ideals and

to support his own claim that self reliance is really just an excuse for self-centeredness.

Although Anastas makes several thinly veiled jabs at “Self Reliance”, calling it “high-flown pap”

and a “most pernicious piece of literature”, he recognizes that Emerson’s quotable essay

resonates with Americans even today; it feels “like natural law” (Anastas). To combat this instinct

to believe in self-divinity, he uses negative connotation when analyzing Emerson’s theories of

nonconformity and free-thought. He exclaims “Oh, the deception! The rank insincerity” (Anastas)

as he devotes a full page to the irrelevance of Emerson’s in the context of today’s national politics

and shifting ideals of individual liberty. The argument is mostly focused on the offensive,

something that is reflected in the accusatory diction and tone as Anastas works to shed light on

the philosophy that did a “generation’s worth of damage to the American psyche” (Anastas). In

the article, words like destiny, manifestation, and nonconformity become undesirable beliefs,

resulting in a life of self-gratification and selfishness. Anastas exposes these alleged flaws in

“Self-Reliance” effectively through his question and answer formatted exposition, developing a

pattern of disjointed logical reasoning. The tone becomes caustic and sarcastic as Anastas asks

“What is his cure for the country’s ailing soul, his recipe for our deliverance from civilization and

its discontents?” (Anastas). By belittling Emerson as an author, reformer, and philosopher,

Anastas solidifies his claim even without the use of the logos appeal. He points out incongruities

in “Self Reliance” and society’s moral alignment today by mocking Emerson’s advice that a man

should treat himself with the upmost worth, by commenting that “If this isn’t the official motto of the

112th Congress of the United States, well, it should be” (Anastas). Ironically his enthusiastic attack

against Emerson’s humanist ideals actually embodies transcendentalism itself. This is seen in the

respect Anastas has for his own opinions and the passionate language that he uses to denounce the

opinions of others, proving that “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind”

(Emerson). Despite this example of Emersonian inconsistency, the brusque fashion in which Anastas

challenges “Self Reliance” is effective primarily through his denouncing tone and bombastic

diction.

Thanks, Kendra B.!

Other general issues:

Avoid “the reader…” in your analysis – argue your position backed with evidence

instead of assuming all readers share your views/analysis. E.g. “This strategy

makes the reader more interested…” Instead, “This interesting anecdote…”

Use power verbs & powerful word choices, and proofread for clarity and sentence

variety! Sophisticated language and syntax are an expectation! See sample

microthemes for models!

A’s & B+’s/88% (adulation & candy) :

Tara, Nick, Caden, Chase, Ethan, Brandon R., & Kylie

Kendra B., Mariah M., Mariah W., Tien, Brandon C., Nicole, & Ann

Reflection:

Read blue (& purple grammatical) comments on essay in turnitin.com (use

laptops), compose your Plus/Delta, and turn in ALL STAMPED REFLECTIONS

FOR POINTS! See Mrs. Bondi for questions; student samples on front table!

1. TTTC

2. AFMP

3. Lincoln

4. Am. Dream

5. On Comp.

6. Foul Reign