1. Mythology of the Self-Made Man
-Franklin: from nothing to something
-America: from dependent colony to independent nation
-Emerson: from dependence to independence;
from imitation to originality;
from social conformity to unique individualism

2. Democracy of Self-Reliance
Self-trust the condition of the individual
Self-trust available to all equally
America as land of individual opportunity
America the land where self-reliance might flourish

3. Bartleby as Self-Reliant
Independent: refuses to accept charity of the lawyer
Original: he refuses to copy; he is himself inimitable
Self-trust: the turn inward a rejection of conformity
Believes his truths are everyone’s: p. 16
Prefers not to dine: exits the world of which he is no part