"Gifts" Response Post

“Gifts” Response

Ralph Waldo Emerson has a unique view on giving/ receiving gifts. Gifts, according to him, should reflect a person’s skill, thought, and dedication rather than his or her wealth. He thinks that gifts should be received without as much as a “thank you”. To him, that means that beneficiary is giving too much credit to the benefactor for an act of kindness. By thanking the person, one is signifying the deed of gift-giving and will make the giver feel good. That shouldn’t be a motive for giving gifts should only feel rewarding to the recipient. Gift-giving will truly be a selfish process rather than something done purely for the recipient. The benefactor should give something that is a necessity to the recipient and not something that is simply luxurious or beautiful. As an example, Emerson goes on to say that the gift should resemble in the giver symbolically depending on what trade he or she practices. Emerson feels that in today’s society, we are giving way too many gifts that are materialistic and superficial. According to him, gifts should be given without any emotion and should be received without showing emotion. That way the benefactor will give gifts solely for the one he or she is giving to and not for feeling good themselves. The person on the receiving end shouldn’t show emotion to keep the benefactor modest. Emerson wants gifts to be personal and comments on the fact that people of any social status can give quality gifts as long as they are willing to apply themselves and give meaningful gifts that reflect a part of themselves. My life would be really different if I received Emersonian gifts. I wouldn’t have as many material things, but I would receive more personable gifts. This probably would make me unhappy at first, but I will appreciate the thoughtful gifts more in the long run. A great example of an Emersonian gift would be a self- made card. It demonstrates thought, ability, and care and is an excellent gift.

PASSAGE: “Necessity does everything well.”

In today’s society, many people are obsessed with luxurious things. People don’t realize that not receiving the ideal gift isn’t the end of the world. There are many people out there starving, thirsty, and homeless and what they need are bare necessities. For the people fortunate enough to have necessities, that can be viewed as an ultimate gift. If luxury was taken away and people still had food, water, clothes, and a shelter, we’d still be okay. Extravagant gifts are nice, but they aren’t everything by any means.

"Self-Reliance" Response Post

Emerson "Self-Reliance" Response

“Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense….”

This quote is saying that whatever one truly believes in is what that person should follow. It’s about asking people to speak what they truly believe in because then it will become true all over world. The quote encourages people to voice their true beliefs and opinions while having the confidence that it will hold true, and it’s acting as a source of motivation for the people out there to voice out their inner convictions. It’s saying that by voicing it out, one has the ability to change many peoples’ perspectives and make it a world-wide truth. “Latent conviction” is a true inner belief that people have. The “universal sense” is the truth or reason behind what’s happening. It’s the backbone of peoples’ beliefs and keeps people striving for what they think is best. Without a universal sense in peoples’ lives, we’d all be apathetic and not accomplish or realize anything. This has been proven time and time again in history and is constantly supported by famous figures.

A prime example of this is Martin Luther King Jr. He preached what he believed in because he strongly felt it was the way things should be. King was fighting for what was right in a time where a lot of society was going against him. Many people threatened and heavily opposed against King. That didn’t detract him. Equal rights for African Americans in America was something he believed in and was a universal truth to him. It didn’t matter what racists believed because what they believed in wasn’t Dr. King’s latent conviction. He wouldn’t let a large crowd of people sway what he held dear. Whether it was the violent racists or the African Americans eager to physically fight back, King preached peaceful demonstrations and stuck by his word. So often we easily accept what others say as the truth. It’s very easy to go with the majority; go with what’s popular and be one of the many. It takes a lot of courage; however, to go out on a limb and support what one thinks is right and defend it. King has shifted peoples’ view over the years and has made a worldwide impact. He has been able to speak out his own latent conviction and make it true for many people around the world.

People have the power to influence others and that’s what latent truths should be about. It’s not something that should be kept hidden, but something that is conveyed around the world until it holds true to others. Latent convictions should be things that are held closest by people. It’s what should drive everybody to achieve their goals and fulfill their potential. It’s what people should try and do to the best of their capability. A latent conviction isn’t just something people should view as something made-up and strictly personal either. It’s not something that should only apply to that person. To that person, the inner conviction should apply to all circumstances and be true for everybody. The message should be spread across the world and that person should preach it. When a person is ready to pursue something with dedication and sincerity, then one will know that he or she is pursuing their latent conviction.