Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The American Scholar” captivated me by addressing the concerns about intellectual idleness fostered by American society. He calls for the revival of the scholar as an original thinker of the present, not merely an echo of the past, to help unite a divided society. Although this was written in 1837, it is still prevalent today. With technology becoming an integral part of everyday lives, it is crucial to become unsaturated with technology and develop our own critical thoughts. The emergence of influencers on social media can make it harder to form our own opinions about even the simplest of things.

Emerson opens his speech by noting “the sluggard intellect of this continent” (Para. 1), emphasizing his belief that America’s dependence on European ideas had stifled intellectual progress in the nation. I noted this wording because it seems that Emerson is deliberately provoking his audience, hoping that people will take it as a challenge and start a new age in America, one that revives literature and independent thought. Before the emergence of social media, society could have independent thoughts; everyone seemed to have individuality. I felt like this speech was still necessary today; people should be more open to various thoughts to understand themselves better.

Emerson highlights the importance of individualism as a key to building a stronger society. He believes those who can govern themselves and think independently can contribute to a more unified society rather than a divided society ruled by social classes or ideals. He concludes “the world is nothing, the man is all.” (Para. 47) The conclusion of his speech intrigued me, and I thought that the quote was perfect for modern society – it is essential for an individual’s inner self and potential. It dismisses material things, like societal structures, and emphasizes individual power and inner strength. Emerson accentuates his conviction that progress begins with the individual scholar’s ability to think freely and connect with others, which is still a quintessential proclamation today. This speech is very much still relevant in today’s society, and I hope that as a society, we can go back to this text and continue to learn and progress from it.