Comparison of Emerson's Self-Reliance and Dunbar's We Wear the Mask In Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson condemns false appearances. We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar also supports this belief. However, there is a difference in the opinions of these two works. Emerson believes that people can shed their false social appearances and live lives that are true to themselves and others. On the contrary, Dunbar believes these demands are necessary. The authors' choices of words and images support this thesis. Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance" expresses his commitment to individuality, rebellion against authority, and rejection of false social appearances. This is demonstrated through his writing style and his nonconformist ideas. On page 1034, Emerson states, “The corporation is a joint-stock company in which the members agree to better secure their bread to each stockholder, to give up the liberty and culture of the eater.” To me, this image is of people giving up what they believe in so they can protect themselves. To "secure" means to make something safe or free from risk of loss, so "to secure one's bread" could symbolize a person protecting their feelings or place in society. The price for this is “giving up freedom and culture”. So, to protect themselves people must surrender or give up their freedom (freedom) and culture (beliefs). Emerson also states that “virtues are penances…Their works are done as an excuse or attenuation of their life in the world” (p. 1035). Virtue is righteousness while a penance is an act of showing sorrow for a transgression. “Works” refer to tasks or efforts to achieve righteousness. “Sorry” means regret and “mitigate” can mean to hide. "Living in the world" could be symbolic of the lies and deception that people commit in everyday life. Therefore, people strive to appear righteous to make up for or hide the bad things they do. On page 1036 Emerson says, “We come to wear a cut of face and figure.” Symbolically this sounds like wearing a mask or a false appearance. Later, on the same page, Emerson talks about the "forced smile we make in company." “Forced” means to strain or produce with effort. As a result, this "smile" that we show in public is not easily shown, as true emotions would be, but is hardly produced as if it were fake or not true. Emerson does not subscribe to this outward falsehood or desire to appear righteous..