It is difficult to definitively determine the top 100 essays of all time, as opinions on the matter vary widely. However, there are certainly many essays that have stood the test of time and continue to be widely read and studied today.
One such essay is "Self-Reliance," written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1841. In this essay, Emerson argues for the importance of individualism and self-reliance, urging readers to trust their own instincts and ideas rather than blindly following the opinions of others. This essay has had a lasting impact on American thought and has been widely influential in shaping the values of self-reliance and independence that are so central to American culture.
Another classic essay is "Civil Disobedience," written by Henry David Thoreau in 1849. In this essay, Thoreau argues that individuals have a duty to resist unjust laws and governments, even if it means breaking the law or going to jail. This essay was influential in the civil rights movement and has been cited as an inspiration by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
Other notable essays include "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy, which explores the theme of death and the meaning of life; "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot, a modernist poem that explores the themes of loneliness and isolation; and "A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf, a feminist essay that advocates for the rights and opportunities of women.
Other classic essays that are often included on lists of the top 100 include "The Myth of Sisyphus" by Albert Camus, "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois, "The Education of Henry Adams" by Henry Adams, and "The Death of Artemio Cruz" by Carlos Fuentes.
Overall, the top 100 essays are a diverse and influential group of works that continue to be widely read and studied today. They cover a wide range of subjects and themes, and they offer valuable insights and perspectives that continue to be relevant and thought-provoking.
