Emerson and Society

Emerson felt that society takes away from the individual qualities of a person. He says, "Society everywhere is in 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. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs." He feels like society is about being part of a group of people and not about being your own person. He does not like this. He feels like we should not depend on others and that we should all think for ourselves and be our own person. I partially agree with him. I think that we all need to be our own person and follow our own ideas. However, I feel that just because society offers conformity and certain ideas doesn't mean that we shouldn't be a part of it. Society offers us a sense of belonging and responsibility. These things are needed, along with non-conformity, to help a person grow and be happy.