I don't necessarily think a person has to define themselves in society; but I think it is an unspoken goal for everyone to define themselves... to have a purpose in life. There are different ways a person can define themselves in society. a way that most people do is following along with whatever is popular at the time. most people change themselves because they think that's how they will make their mark on society, by following in other peoples' footsteps and faking their way through life. But for the people who are true to who they are, they make a place for themselves in society. And they do this through self-reliance. "Society everywhere is in a conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members... The virtue in most request in conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. it loves not realities and creators, but names and customs." (p.21). Emerson suggests that society is something to conform to. It is place filled with already set rules, stereotypes, and ways how people act, talk, say, and do. Emerson states the PROPER way to define oneself in society is to be an individual; to stray away from that conformity of society and to be different. There are so many unique and hidden qualities that people shove down into darkness. the way to define yourself is to show these qualities... and not only to yourself, family, or friends, but to anyone whom you might meet or talk to.
To be defined in society requires courage and confidence. "To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men-is genius. Speak latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense;..." (p.19). It is important to believe in what you think, and to believe what you think applies for all people; the thought was not only meant to be true for yourself, but for everyone. If we as a people act in according to this, it distinguishes how you see society and how society will perceive you.
I disagree with people conforming to society. I think his main idea was for people to not conforming to society and for people to be there own person. People should not let others influence their ideas and actions.
ReplyDeleteI think he does say that society is something that many choose to conform to, although he says that we should resist the urge and try and be an indivdual. We should all aim to be nonconformist and challenge society. it is the only way that progress is possible. I agree with what you said about trying to bring out those unique qualities and show them to the world. I like how you incoorperated the fact that to be a non conformist and challenge society you need to have courage and confidence. I think this is important to think about especailly when Emerson makes it seem like such an easy thing to do.
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