Elements of Transcendentalism in Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime"

Introduction

No one really thinks their own mom would toss them out of a moving bus, right? But sometimes society and the tough conditions around us make people do wild things. The ideals of transcendentalism are all about breaking those chains that bind our minds and thoughts. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Thoreau, and Walt Whitman were big shots who spent their lives developing these ideas. In his book "Born a Crime," Trevor Noah uses the ideas of non-conformity, self-reliance, and living life to the fullest to show why rebellion is sometimes needed to get social justice.

Non-Conformity in "Born a Crime"

The whole idea of not following the crowd is a big part of transcendentalism and you can see it all through Trevor Noah’s stories in "Born a Crime." Ralph Waldo Emerson was into this too. He believed that society kinda forces you to give up your individuality. He once said that society is like “a joint-stock company” where everyone gives up their freedom for some security. But transcendentalists think folks should have their own opinions and not just go with what everybody else thinks. Only by being different can someone truly be free.

In "Born A Crime," Trevor Noah shows how stepping away from the norm can lead to social justice even when society seems set on oppressing certain groups. His mom, Patricia Noah, decided to have him—a mixed-race child—when such a thing was illegal during apartheid in South Africa. Despite everything, she didn’t let the system dictate her actions. People thought she was nuts for raising Trevor like white kids, but she wanted him to have every opportunity available, regardless of his race.

Self-Reliance: Walking Your Own Path

Another big idea from transcendentalism is self-reliance. Walt Whitman talked about this in his poem “Song of Myself.” He says life’s journey is one only you can walk yourself. You can’t depend on anyone else for your success; you gotta rely on your own skills and instincts.

Trevor Noah found his own way out of tough situations by leaning on his tech and business savvy. Even though he started small—selling pirated CDs—it was his way to fight back against limited opportunities offered to poor black kids in South Africa. By doing this, he managed to break out of the cycle that kept many trapped in ghettos.

Living Life Fully

The last key idea is getting the most outta life. Henry David Thoreau really believed in living life to its fullest potential. He went into the woods just to find out what life was really about without all the modern conveniences holding us back.

Noah echoes this when he talks about how important it is not to let failures stop you from trying again. He learned this lesson himself as a teen when he missed an opportunity with a girl named Zaheera because he hesitated too long.

This idea pushed Noah throughout his life—to follow his passion for comedy and hustle whenever he could despite harsh conditions in South Africa.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah taps into transcendentalist ideas like non-conformity, self-reliance, and making the most outta life to underline why rebellion's sometimes necessary for social justice. Through sharing his personal stories shaped by these beliefs, we see how they've impacted him deeply.

References

• Emerson, R.W., & Ferguson, A.P. (2000). Self-Reliance: The Wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson as Inspiration for Daily Living.
• Noah, T. (2016). Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.
• Thoreau, H.D., & Cramer, J.S (2004). Walden: With an Introduction and Annotations by Bill McKibben.
• Whitman, W., & Folsom E., & Price K (1999). Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1855 Edition.