Self-Reliance Group

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tnoh
tnoh

What does Emerson say about society in "Self-Reliance"? Does he believe that it limits individual freedom?

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Posted by tnoh on Wednesday April 23, 2008 at 7:08 PM and tagged with emerson, freedom, individual, self-reliance, society.

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  1. luannw Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Emerson says that the problem with society is that its goal is to conform people ("The virtue most in request is conformity,"). He goes on to say that the conformity then robs people of their ability to think for themselves and to be independent thinkers because it becomes so easy to simply follow the crowd rather than form original thoughts.  Furthermore, he says that society "...whips you with its displeasure," if one is a non-conformist meaning that one who does not conform to the general rules and ways of society are considered outcasts and are shunned or worse.  So, yes, Emerson did believe that society limited individual freedom.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/self-reliance

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    Posted by luannw on Thursday April 24, 2008 at 10:20 AM