As a nation of immigrants, America is one of the most diverse countries in the world. However, there are qualities that bring us all together, such as the drive towards moral perfection. The desire to improve one’s moral character as a step towards the idealistic goal of self-perfection is a distinctly American trait, because a superior morality can lead to a more fulfilling life. This can be done through self-reflection, or criticism from others, and is important because it helps with the intermediate goal of self-reliance.

            Self-reflection is a useful tool for Americans looking to improve their morality. Self-reflection helps one decide what is right and wrong, and what is morally preferable about their character. For example, in The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, John Proctor struggles with the decision of whether or not to confess to witchcraft, a sin he has not committed, to save his life. In his deliberations, he turns to God to determine whether his morality will permit him to make the lie. He asks “Who will judge me? God in Heaven, what is John Proctor?” (Miller 78), a plea which demonstrates the urgency of his situation. Proctor becomes so distraught over the situation that he attempts to ask his wife, with whom he has only a frail relationship, for help. However, she does not offer her opinion on the matter; rather she tells him to “let none be your judge. There be no higher Judge under Heaven than Proctor is!” (78) John’s search for the right decision is a search for the most morally sound way to act. His wife’s refusal to judge him indicates her belief in the importance of self-reflection. While she could just as easily have swayed her husband in either direction, based on what she believed to be the right decision, she forces John to search for the answer inside of himself. This, she believes, will help him reach a more morally pure decision. Effectively, her refusal to offer support tells John that the decision reached by self-reflection will be more effective than any she could offer, and this is a manifestation of what was going on in her head at the time: her instinctive behavior, which demonstrates her natural belief in the effectiveness of self-reflection as a tool to find the most morally sound way to act.

            While self-reflection is a good way to improve one’s morality, so is being accepting of others’ criticism. Benjamin Franklin demonstrates the use of constructive criticism in his autobiography, in which he changes his view of himself based on what others have told him. Once he has this new view of his character, he makes changes in his lifestyle in order to further his moral development. Franklin was told by a friend that he “was generally thought proud” (Franklin 78), of which he decided to “cure [himself]” (78). This led to Franklin adding “humility” to his list of traits required for moral perfection. The direct effect of the criticism indicates a strong correlation between the acceptance of criticism and the process of achieving moral perfection. Franklin also gives a reason for attempting to perfect his morals. He says that doing so will allow him “to live without committing any fault at any time, I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into” (76), his version of a more fulfilling life. Franklin believes in “natural inclination” (76) towards wrongdoings, but he believes that his pursuit of moral perfection will discourage any such inclinations brought about by his nature, society’s tendencies, or “customs” (76), or pressure from others, which he refers to as “company” (76). Without these distractions plaguing his moral character, Franklin believes he will be able to live a more fulfilling, faultless life.

            Several figures throughout American history have attempted to improve their morality by becoming self reliant. Self-reliance can be seen as a step towards moral perfection. Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that thoroughly knowing and believing in your own morals allows you to live your life with a proper moral code. His beliefs are evident in his essay “Self-Reliance,” in which he says that “to believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men – that is genius” (Emerson 233), expressing his belief that understanding your own morals is a step towards “genius” (233), his word for perfection. Part of the reason Emerson believes that understanding yourself is such a big part of moral perfection is that he also believes that morality is individual, and that one can only be morally perfect if he is following his own moral code, and not that of someone else. To demonstrate this point, Emerson says that “if [he were] the devil’s child, [he would] live then from the devil. No law can be sacred to [him] but that of [his] nature” (234), which says that even if his moral code were completely different, he would still live by it, and it would still be “sacred” (234) to him. Again, like the word “genius” (233), “sacred” (234) indicates the highest possible state of moral perfection.

            Another American figure who has demonstrated an interest in improving moral character by becoming self reliant is Chris McCandless. When McCandless went off on his own, he was attempting to understand himself so that he could become a better person. Chris said,

“I have lived through much, and now I think I’ve found what is needed for happiness.  Quiet secluded life in the country.  The possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes will be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor – such is my idea of happiness” (McCandless)

McCandless lists his morals, including “being useful to people,” “work,” and “love for one’s neighbor,” among others. He also indicates that these morals have come about from his having “lived through much,” a reference to the time he had spent alone, completely and utterly self-reliant. The self-reliance aspect of McCandless’ isolation evidently had a profound effect on his morals. McCandless also provides a reason for developing his morals. He says that doing so allows him to live a happier life. This idea is important because it gives a purpose to the entire venture towards self perfection. McCandless’ opinion on the origin of morals again manifests itself when he says that “[t]he Core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences” (McCandless), a broad statement which represents his experience in the wild. McCandless’ morals are represented by his “spirit” while his “experiences” refer specifically to the self-reliance he forced himself to experience while living in Alaska. His assertion that the morals came as a result of the experience again indicates a strong link between self-reliance and morality.

            Self-reflection, acceptance of criticism, and self reliance all help Americans achieve greatness, which we look for in the form of moral perfection. The importance of morality to Americans is clear in such examples as John Proctor from Miller’s The Crucible, Emerson’s “Self-Reliance,” Franklin’s autobiography, and the story of Chris McCandless. The characters in these examples typify the passionate pursuit of self perfection which characterizes Americans as a whole. As representations of typical Americans, these examples help us understand where we came from, which is an important part of what makes us who we are today.