May 26, 2011 Response

     Although individuality, self-worship, and self-power are popular themes of today’s society, this idea of transcendentalism in the 18^th century was an entirely new concept to America. Writers Whitman, Emerson, and Chopin all convey themes of establishing individuality and the pathway to achieve individualism.

     Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” utilizes repetition and addresses a variety of different people in order to drive home his point: believe in yourself. For instance, one of Emerson’s first thoughts is, “God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best.” He is addressing the religious people of the time period (in this case, nearly everyone). He states that God created man to do things for his own self, and not be a “coward” by conforming to society just to make everyone else happy. Emerson also addresses adolescence, stating, “Do not think the youth has no force.” This was one of my favorite lines because Emerson presents the idea that individuality starts when you are young. You don’t have to wait to “grow up” to start learning to think for yourself, and while thinking for yourself, you establish a “force” and sense of self-pride. Emerson states that “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what people think” and “My life is for itself and not for a spectacle,” indicating that the opinions of others is irrelevant and that it is important to find a power within yourself. You should not do something just for a “spectacle,” or for people to perceive you in some way; you should do it because it makes you happy. He repeats this concept, saying “Welcome ever more to gods and men is the self-helping man,” meaning that people are more likely to want to be around those who help themselves. He also presents the idea that conformity and consistency prove nothing about yourself, and that individualism flatters character. I thought Emerson’s views of travelling the world were interesting…how people should not travel in search of finding “something better.” It reminded me of the saying “The grass is always greener on the other side.” What I got from Emerson’s message is that running from your problems does not make them go away, and you have to believe in yourself to make things happen.

     Similar to Emerson, Whitman also presents the notion that individualism and “being yourself” are the best things you can do in life. By celebrating his passions, his body, and his voice, Whitman poetically depicts the path to becoming an individual. His poem suggests that you should never fully follow one person’s story or another, and that “You shall listen to all sides, and filter them for yourself” (2). He is essentially saying to make your own decisions and stand ground. Whitman also describes the power of individuality, when he writes, “I resists anything better than my own diversity…And am not stuck up, and am in my place” (16). Whitman has found his individualism, or “his place,” and has established the diverse aspects of himself. For instance, he describes all the “voices” within him, and how each one isn’t necessarily perfect: the voice of slaves, prostitutes, diseased, despaired, and thieves. These “voices” are what make up Whitman and his individuality. I was also a little surprised that Whitman freely wrote about sexuality and worshipping his own body. What I got out of stanza 48 was that nothing should be greater to you than yourself and your soul, not even God. Finally, Whitman concludes his poem with “I too am untranslatable,” admitting that even for him, finding individuality is a struggle and is not always a ‘clear cut’ answer. Did anyone else have a difficult time with Whitman’s language? I felt like Emerson was a little easier to understand…what were some of your opinions about the end (stanza 48/52) of Whitman’s poem? What do you feel is the main take home message?

     Kate Chopin’s story, “The Story of an Hour,” also affirmed the idea of individuality as presented by Emerson and Whitman. When Mrs. Mallard hears the news that her husband died, she does not act “with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance,” as she would be expected to act in that time period. Instead, she portrayed a sense of relief, and by doing so, conveyed non-conformity and individualism. She looked out her window at the “delicious breath of rain” (which I think is a metaphor and symbol for relief) that was in the air, and she suddenly felt a feeling that was “too subtle and elusive to name.” This is when Chopin foreshadows Mrs. Mallard’s path to liberation. She confirms Mrs. Mallard’s relief when Mrs. Mallard starts shouting, “free, free, free” over and over again. I think the fact that Mrs. Mallard could recognize that she was tied down by her husband in society and that she was happier alone shows that she has established individualism, since she does not conform with society’s expectations. It seems that her husband used to tie her down from achieving her goals judging by the line, “no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence” and a “long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely.” Essentially, her husband’s will and power will no longer overpower her individualism, and the remainder of her life will be spent as a proud, free individual. Where Mrs. Mallard previously shuddered at the thought of a long life, she is now praying for a longer one. I think that Mrs. Mallard died at the end because she realized the joy, freedom, and liberation that filled her body at the thought of not having a husband.  The thing that changed was her feeling of individualism, which she could previously not express. Now that she knows her husband is not dead, she cannot go back to feeling trapped again in marriage after having a taste of freedom away from marriage. The “joy that kills” was that feeling of liberation that was so great that Mrs. Mallard could literally not live without it. This story was interesting to me because it reminded me of my outside novel (also by Kate Chopin). I won’t say too much for those who haven’t read it, but the stories parallel each other in many ways!