Self-reliance :: essays research papers

The idea of self-reliance is an American idea. Self-reliance is a way of life when one is reliant on one's own capabilities, judgment, and resources. When someone is self-reliant they are completely Independent. Many American authors have used examples of this idea, self-reliance, in a lot of their writing. For example, in a Progress to the Mines by Byrd examples of self-reliance are present. In the beginning of the story Byrd writes about a character who Ò... rode eight miles together over a stony road,Ó in order to get to a house. This shows self-reliance because riding eight miles, all by himself, is a hard task to accomplish. Especially back then when the story took place because there werenÕt very many people around to help one if one got into trouble. Byrd shows another example of self-reliance when he was describing one of the main characters who ran an iron mill. He described him as Ò...so great a master in the mystery of making Iron, where in he had led the way and was the tubal-cain of Virginia.Ó This shows self-reliance because Byrd shows that this character is the best iron maker around and that heÕs self-reliant in doing it. Byrd shows self-reliance once again while describing this same character. He said ÒHe was... first in North America who had erected a regular furnace.Ó This shows self-reliance because he set up this iron mill and furnace in the middle of nowhere with no help from anyone else. All three of these examples show that Byrd has examples of self-reliance in his writing. Another American writer who has examples of self-reliance in his writing is Franklin. In FranklinÕs Poor RichardÕs Almanac he shows many examples of self-reliance. Franklin says that ÒGod helps them that help themselves.Ó This greatly advocates self-reliance. Franklin is saying that you should help yourself, i.e. be self-reliant, before looking to God, or anyone else, for help. Franklin shows self-reliance again when he says ÒKeep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee.Ó Franklin is saying that if you work hard at something like keeping a shop you will be supported by that hard work and that you will be self-reliant. Franklin shows self-reliance once again by saying, ÒAt the working manÕs house hunger looks in, but dares not enter.Ó In this quote Franklin is saying that if you work hard youÕll never be hungry, youÕll never have to depend on someone else for food, and that youÕll be self-reliant. These three examples show that Franklin has examples of self-reliance in his book Poor RichardÕs Almanac. In an other piece of writing by Franklin, The Auto-Biography, examples of self-reliance are also present. In this book Franklin writes about his childhood.