“Romanticism was more than merely an alternative to a sterile classicism; romanticism made possible, especially in art, a great expansion of the human consciousness,” said the American author Edward Abbey (from Edward Abbey Quote at BrainyQuote). At the end of the 18th century, a philosophical movement called Romanticism quickly spreads throughout Europe and the United States to challenge the rational ideal held so tightly during the Enlightenment. The artists start to emphasize sense and emotions over reason and order and value the important means of understanding and experiencing the world. Romanticism celebrates the individual imagination and intuition in the enduring search for individual rights and liberty. “American romanticism can best be described as a journey away from the corruption of civilization and the limits of rational thought and toward the integrity of nature and the freedom of the imagination” (Elements 142). Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau contribute as two of the most influential writers in that era. In 1841, Emerson writes an essay called “Self-Reliance” in which he promotes self-reliance as an ideal, even a virtue, and contrasts it with various modes of dependence or conformity. Later on, in 1849, Emerson's student, Henry David Thoreau, publishes his own essay with the title Resistance to Civil Government in which he espouses the need to prioritize one's conscience over the dictates of laws. It criticizes American social institutions and policies, most prominently slavery and the Mexican-American War. Equally, Romanticism still holds a vast amount of influence in the current creative culture. From literature to art, to music, the romantic era's archetypes exist. As an example, the famous English rock band, Pink Floyd, show some romantic characteristics in a three-part song called “Another Brick In The Wall”. The Part II song’s lyrics address a protest against rigid schooling. Altogether, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”, Henry David Thoreau’s Resistance to Civil Government, and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall (Part II)” illustrate the romantic theme individuality and nonconformity lead to an original and successful life utilizing various literary devices and rhetorical strategies.
To begin with, Ralph Waldo Emerson spreads self-assurance and self-trust throughout his writing in “Self-Reliance”. In detail, Emerson uses personification to express the conflicts of a committed person in society. Outlining his reasons for objecting to conformity, Emerson asserts that acquiescing to public opinion wastes a person's life because a committed person is often either “watched by the sympathy or the hatred of hundreds” (Emerson). In the form of personification, this claims that human emotions, sympathy, and hatred, can watch a person. Deeper down, the author believes that a committed and successful individual meets with various suppositions of society. Some encourage his or her hard work; however, some endeavor to tear it down. In either case, it should not have any kind of effect at any rate. Despite what the general public considers, an individual should concentrate just on him/herself and his/herself main opinion to lead his/her way to success and happiness. A person with self-esteem exhibits originality. Also, Emerson uses metaphor to ensure self-trust. Emerson believes that people know the rights and wrongs; therefore, they should “trust [themselves]” because “every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Emerson 225). Emerson believes that humans act based off of their moral feelings and strengths of their heart; therefore, they should believe in their work and ignore the criticism of others. Individuals must respond to their true feelings in order to live an authentic existence. In conclusion, Emerson promotes individualism by asserting the importance of thinking for oneself rather than accepting other people's ideas.
Furthermore, Thoreau encourages nonconformity in Resistance to Civil Government. In the beginning, Thoreau uses allusion to raise awareness about the order of government laws. Thoreau starts his essay by making a reference to Thomas Jefferson to create credibility in which government should not interfere within the people's lives and a “government is best which governs least” (Thoreau 249). Thoreau believes that the government should not have control over people; the less control over people, the better the society. The government should allow people to live a happy and authentic life by expressing their thoughts and imagination freely without any law or anyone stopping them. These ideas rely on the belief that people should not conform to society but stay independent and embrace their own beliefs, goals, values, and morals. Moreover, Thoreau uses metaphor to urge individuals to act mindfully and independently. Thoreau thinks people should refuse to follow the law and distance themselves from an unjust government in general but most importantly, he worries "about the mass of men [that] serve the state, [but] not as men[,] mainly as machines with their bodies" (Thoreau ). Thoreau criticizes the general population which follows the government blindly without thought or, more importantly, feeling. He compares soldiers to machines because of their mindless obeying without stating their opinion on given orders. Although he recognizes that the majority of the population act as a cog in the engine of the government, he urges each individual to take up and follow his or her own path and live an independent and original life. In conclusion, Thoreau believes that people must stay independent and value their original beliefs and thoughts.
Similarly, in the song “Another Brick in The Wall (Part II)”, Pink Floyd addresses lack of freedom and individuality. First, Pink Floyd stresses its point by using repetition. At the beginning of the song, the band sings that kids “don't need no education[;] / [They] don't need no thought control” (Pink Floyd 1-2). On the surface, the song attacks the educational system. The lyrics in the song persuade the audience that although the school may have necessities, it makes children mindless souls that do not have free creativity or imagination. The band fears the brainwashing through the education system—where the population has no voice. Second, Pink Floyd uses metaphor to promote individualism. After attacking the educational system, Pink Floyd informs the people that “all in all[,] [they’re] just another brick in the wall” (Pink Floyd 7). The lyrics contain apparent conformity and act more like a call to action. The band put the fatal reality of society into a metaphor; the brick wall refers to a society with no diversity or individuality. This powerful verse in the song promotes individualism by informing the world about the situation of the society. In conclusion, Pink Floyd desires individuality and liberation from the conforming constraints of the school system or any control.
In the final analysis, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”, Henry David Thoreau’s Resistance to Resistance to Civil Government, and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall (Part II)” support that individuality and nonconformity result in an authentic, effective life. All these pieces promote individualism, nonconformity, free thought, and originality. Individuality allows people to contribute great ideas to the world. People who pride themselves, value their individuality and do not rely on others' judgments tend to take more pleasure in their lives. Even in today’s world, many people fear to break out of their shells with their own individuality, but many authors, artists, or scientists inspire them to look for their freedom and uniqueness. Individuality opens the door for creativity, well-being, and joyful life.