Lara Vizon

Storer
English 3 Honors American Literature, Block 4
22 January 2020
Socratic Circle Reflection on Emerson and Thoreau
During this discussion I was the facilitator. I asked questions that weren’t asked in the
previous rounds. These questions opened deeper conversations and let everyone look beyond
surface level. The questions I asked were “Both Emerson and Thoreau argue for people to be
more individualistic and less inclined to conform with others. Is it possible for people to live as
individuals and nonconformists in our current society? Why or why not?” and “Based of these
writings, what do you think it means to be a transcendentalist?” What I did well during the
discussion was asking questions that haven’t been asked yet. These questions opened a new
discussion and it brought more unheard opinions to the circle. However, if became facilitator
again I would present my opinions to the questions I asked than just letting everyone else
answer. I would also provide follow up questions or questions related to the subject than just the
ones one the paper. Another thing I would do differently is try to invite people into the
discussion who haven’t spoken yet, so they get a chance to voice their opinions as well.
During the group discussion we focused mostly on Emerson’s nature and self-reliance.
The group talked about the concept of God showing Himself in nature and how that is relevant in
both the stories and in real life. Many people referenced the text, but also real life and how it
connected to their own lives. The facilitator of the group also included questions regarding topics
learned in other subjects and that helped the discussion go beyond surface level. Some also
mentioned that we take nature for granted and once it’s taken away from us, that’s when we start
appreciating it and wanting it back. We just need to stop and enjoy the little things around us and
they referenced this to the text in Emerson’s passages. One of the discussions that really stood
out was about nonconformity. Someone mentioned that everyone conforms in someway to fit in
or out of respect, however someone did retaliate what they said. Someone asked and pointed out,
what if that’s just our different personalities and “faces” we hold. It was an interesting discussion
on how we conform to society’s standards and around certain people without knowing. We can
try to be nonconforming, but somehow, we still end up doing so. What one group did well was
building up on what the other person would say. One would start off the discussion bringing
important points and perspectives and then another person in the group would continue what the
previous person was saying, except they would continue in a deeper sense from what the other
person discussed.
Thesis statement: Emerson and Thoreau express different perspectives on life, they both
come together on the topic of being a transcendentalist.
Throughout this essay some point I would make would be about how Emerson and
Thoreau have different points and ways that lead them to be a transcendentalist. For example, I
would start with how Emerson focuses on self- reliance and how that creates the form of ultimate
happiness because you’re not relying on anyone or anything. Then I’ll continue talking about
how Emerson uses a lot of religious references in this work and that contributes to the fact he is a
transcendentalist. I will also connect that he uses nature as a way to connect and it is an outlet for
him to get away from the reality of the world. Afterwards, I’ll talk about Thoreau and how his
beliefs and points come together to relate with Emerson’s. For instance, I’ll include that Thoreau
believes that people need to be nonconforming which Emerson also believed. Thoreau also
encouraged people to assert these beliefs of individuality in their own way. For example, such as
when Thoreau didn’t pay his poll- tax, he was standing for his beliefs and asserting them to
society. This also proves he is transcendentalist because he doesn’t let anyone come in between
what he truly believes in and he doesn’t let other people change him. He also wanted to
“simplify” a lot of things revolving in his life. He believes that everything already so
complicated.
Some topics that were discussed relates to the song Burn the House Down by AJR. In the
song they talk about going against the social stigma and fighting for what they think is right.
They continue singing about what if they do go against it, what would happen to them, would
they still be allowed to play, or should just keep it light. Throughout the song they call out people
faking it and conforming to society as they say in the song, “Too good to be truth… full of
entertainers and thieves” Towards the end of the song they’re really contemplating whether or
not they should conform or go against the grain, “Should I hang my head low? Should I bite my
tongue?” Then in the end and throughout the song they sing about how they’ll “burn the house
down” with their own opinions and truths they have. This relates to the topic discussed because
Emerson really emphasized the subject of nonconformity and this song reflects that since they’re
contemplating and willing to not conform unlike everyone else. It also relates to Thoreau and
how he stuck to his own beliefs and opinions especially when he went to jail because he didn’t
want to pay his poll-tax. AJR in the song is standing up for the opinions they believe in and
through that they’ll “burn the house down.”