"Self Reliance" Reflection

Emerson believes that every person should an individual in their society. But how can they define that role? Plain and simple: to stick to your opinions and form your own interests.

On page 25 of Self Reliance, Emerson writes:

"Act singly, and what you have already done singly will justify you now."

Do things for yourself! It isn't necessary to act a certain way to please others. While this sounds like a pamphlet you'll see in a psychiatrist's office or an advisory speech on the first day of school, it is a simple solution to an intertwining problem. The reason we are so successful as a country is because everyone appreciates and uses the liberty of having their own personal beliefs.

But now, it's time to define society. Is it inclusive of the neighborhood you live in? The group you hang out with after school? It's both, none and everything. According to Emerson, on page 21:

"Society everywhere is the conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. Society is a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater."

This quote is saying that a society is any group of people who join together because of similarities in their opinions, interests or likelihoods. Most likely, conformity will occur because members of a society tend to act like other members, thus losing part of what they believe in.

It is important to examine what a society and what an individual is because one is formed and one is molded; two seemingly same actions, but one is uncontrollable and one is easily controlled. It is up to us to maintain our individualistic selves when confronted with the possibility to conform.