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Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy and spiritual outlook on life based on the pillars of self reliance exaggerate the necessary characteristics of the American Dream. His beliefs lay out the principles required to be successful and achieve individual success without the constraints of others.

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https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ralph-waldo-emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson is regarded as one of the greatest writers of his time. Emerson combined the ideas of individualism and transcendentalism to evolve literature and the way of thinking of the American public. He incorporated the writings of other philosophers and transcendentalists to create his ideas and works. The great mind of Emerson is most well known for his belief in individualism, and this belief comes from the Eastern culture that consumed him in his earlier years, along with the time spent in Europe studying under historical minds such as Thomas Carlyle. Emerson's ideology of self-reliance shines an illustrious light on the idea of American Dream and helps establish the power of one's singular efforts and ability.

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Self-Reliance

Self-Reliance is the belief, constructed by the great philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson, that relying on self-will and using your own resources to succeed is essential to avoid conformity. Emerson greatly detailed through this body of literature his ideology on how we as individual beings must strive to live and prosper. In his most famous work “Self-Reliance” he writes  “nothing is last sacred but the integrity of your own mind”(archive.vcu.edu), explaining that absolutely nothing is as valuable or necessary as the power of one's will and intelligence. Conforming to the ways society intends us to live would deter many people from going beyond the limits and trying to make their own dreams a reality. He believes conformity kills the “aboriginal self” (Self-Reliance”) and allows for our minds to be infiltrated by ideas that swallow our individualism. The cerebral transcendentalist ideas of Emerson are directly related to what many people considered the American Dream.

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https://equalityopportunity.weebly.com/forefathers-of-the-american-dream-ralph-waldo-emerson-and-benjamin-franklin.html.

The American Dream is the belief that each individual has the potential and ability to strive for success no matter the conditions. The principles of the American Dream were presented by brilliant minds such as Emerson. His beliefs and way of life set foundations for succeeding and relying on your inner self.  These divergent ideas constitute the direct development of what the American Dream entails. Hard work and “trust in thyself”(“Self-Reliance”) in the words of Emerson, can elevate anyone towards their goals. "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be"(kidadl.com) this quote stated in the transforming piece of literature known as “Self-Reliance” not only show the connection between Emerson’s beliefs and the American Dream but also emphasize how one man with the proper tenacity can pave their own path towards success.

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“Ralph Waldo Emerson.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ralph-waldo-emerson#tab-poems.

“Self-Reliance.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/topic/Self-Reliance.

“American Dream.” Corporate Finance Institute, 24 Apr. 2021, https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/american-dream/.

“Emerson's ‘Self-Reliance’ - A Close Reading Lesson Plan.” America in Class, 2 Mar. 2021, https://americainclass.org/individualism-in-ralph-waldo-emersons-self-reliance/.

Ralph Waldo Emerson.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 18 Aug. 2020, https://www.biography.com/writer/ralph-waldo-emerson

“Transcendentalism.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/event/Transcendentalism-American-movement.

“Forefathers of the American Dream: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Benjamin Franklin.” Home, https://equalityopportunity.weebly.com/forefathers-of-the-american-dream-ralph-waldo-emerson-and-benjamin-franklin.html.

Hudson, Congressman Richard. “Independence, Self-Reliance Keys to American Dream.” The Independent Tribune, 19 Mar. 2019, https://independenttribune.com/opinion/columnists/independence-self-reliance-keys-to-american-dream/article_1f966c5e-c0b1-5c43-9e17-f7799734085c.html.