Eng48A
Journal for Emerson
Oct. 24, 2011
Author Quote
"I appeal from your customs. I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me for what I am, we shall be happier. If you cannot, I will still seek to deserve that you should. I must be myself (1174)".
Internet Quote
"Be yourself; no base imitator of another, but your best self. There is something which you can do better than another. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that. Do the things at which you are great, not what you were never made for." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Brief Summary
To be a conformist is to adapt to a lifestyle and a belief system that does not fit the ideals of the individual. Emerson believes that to be untrue to oneself is the greatest crime, meaning that the particular individual lives by a philosophy that may not be conducive to their feelings or freewill.
Your Idea/Reactions/Responses to the Author's Ideas
Everyone single person in the world knows their beliefs and ideals, the ones that they were raised and born on, which they may or may not live by. These ideals may include religion, prejudices or a lifestyle choice. To be completely independent of the any belief system or a way of thinking, one must completely isolate oneself and separate themselves from society. It would take a soul, body and mind in isolation to brew up a true opinion of oneself and what ideals and style of truth that they find or desire in the world surrounding them. Not everybody in the world is brave enough to break away from conformity. Religion can be consoling to those who seek answers to the universe's difficult and hard-to-face questions. It is when an individual accepts the fact there may be no answers and only a long series of questions and problems that simply take a certain way of thinking. I believe Emerson argues that these questions are never answered, they are addressed in a manner that reflect an attitude to the situation. For example, he states that he "must be himself" and that he cannot adapt to the ways of other belief systems because he simply doesn't believe them. It is almost a form of alienation, but if it brings essential happiness it is an inarguable ideal of life. However, what is happiness? Is it a radiance that reflects intense joy as a result of "positive thoughts"? It's ambiguous, but so is the idea conformity.
To be a conformist is to adapt to a lifestyle and a belief system that does not fit the ideals of the individual. Emerson believes that to be untrue to oneself is the greatest crime, meaning that the particular individual lives by a philosophy that may not be conducive to their feelings or freewill.
Your Idea/Reactions/Responses to the Author's Ideas
Everyone single person in the world knows their beliefs and ideals, the ones that they were raised and born on, which they may or may not live by. These ideals may include religion, prejudices or a lifestyle choice. To be completely independent of the any belief system or a way of thinking, one must completely isolate oneself and separate themselves from society. It would take a soul, body and mind in isolation to brew up a true opinion of oneself and what ideals and style of truth that they find or desire in the world surrounding them. Not everybody in the world is brave enough to break away from conformity. Religion can be consoling to those who seek answers to the universe's difficult and hard-to-face questions. It is when an individual accepts the fact there may be no answers and only a long series of questions and problems that simply take a certain way of thinking. I believe Emerson argues that these questions are never answered, they are addressed in a manner that reflect an attitude to the situation. For example, he states that he "must be himself" and that he cannot adapt to the ways of other belief systems because he simply doesn't believe them. It is almost a form of alienation, but if it brings essential happiness it is an inarguable ideal of life. However, what is happiness? Is it a radiance that reflects intense joy as a result of "positive thoughts"? It's ambiguous, but so is the idea conformity.
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