Individualism and Community - Dissertation Example

The period before 1900 is associated with the manifestation of individualism and self-reliance. The writers of that period believed in oneself, and as a result of this, they emphasized on selfhood in doing things as well as making decisions. Some of the writers before 1900 include Emerson, Thoreau, and Fern. In relation to this, the paper will expound on how the three writers negotiate between ideas of individualism and community. In addressing this, the paper will explain on how gender as well as time influenced the presentation of ideas by different writers. In addition to this, the paper will also try to explain the changes took place over time. As it was introduced above, the period before 1900 was characterized by an element of self-reliance. This probably because of the people involved in writing that time; majority of the writers during this period were men. As a result of this, it is evident that most writings of the period were influenced by gender. For instance, Emerson asserts that his writing is all about himself and not what he has heard about other men (1873). In relation to his assertion, it is apparent that egotism of men influenced their ideas in writing. To emphasize on the point of self-reliance, Emerson expounds on how the words of one of the painters of that period made him realize the essence of believing in oneself thought and what is in one’s heart (Emerson 1163). In relation to his assertion, one can deduce that self-reliance was a virtue of the majority of the men in the period before 1900. Decision-making was not influenced by outside forces; men believed in themselves in making decisions. The art of that period also encourage people to abide by their “spontaneous impression with good-humored inflexibility” (Emerson 1163). In relation to individualism, men emphasized on trusting oneself and the environment in which one resided. For instance, Emerson claims that great men worked through their hands, and as a result of this, he advocates the independence of solitude. Majority of the misunderstandings in the society were as a result of men’s individualism in making decisions. According to the writing by Emerson (1168), men trusted their emotion. They believed that trusting oneself emotion could aid in avoiding self-contradictions. Despite writing much about individualism, Emerson (1178) asserts that the society will never advance in the hands of one man. According to him, working in togetherness enhances the improvement of the society. Individualism was also highly regarded by men during the period of 1900. For example, Thoreau refers to himself “I” in his the story “Walden, or Life in the Woods” (Thoreau 1872). His choice of writing about himself is in connection with the fact that he was only concerned about himself. In relation to this, Thoreau claims that he believes in his soul; he believes that he has good behavior because he repents for some things. To emphasize on the idea of individualism, Thoreau explains his plan for the future. In addition to this, men during 1900 worked in order to provide for themselves. This assertion is also justified by Thoreau who talks about his self-reliance. According to him, he maintained himself by the work of his hands. He also used his income to cater for himself (Thoreau 1908). Women of the 1900 depended greatly on their husbands. According to Fern (1794), majority of the women depended on their husbands for support and everything in life, they did not believe in self-reliance. It is as a result of this position of women in the society that Fern expressed her concern over girl’s dependence on their men in the story “Aunt Hetty on Matrimony” (Fern 1794). According to her, it is crucial for women to be self-reliant. This assertion is evidenced by her statement that it is important for girls to stop thinking about their men and find ways of surviving. It is also evident that men of the period 1900 depended on their wives. They ate what their wives could manage to put on the table. In support of this claim, Fern (1794) in the story “Aunt Hetty on Matrimony” argues that men depend on their wives; they eat what their wives prepare without contributing. Despite her call for independence in this story, her position as a woman in the society also influenced her writing. Like other women of the 1900, she also valued support from men. It is as a result of this that her stories tend to contradict the reader. For instance, in the story “Aunt Hetty on Matrimony”, Fern emphasizes on the essence of self-reliance in women whereas in the story “Hungry Husbands” she expounds on the things women need to do in order to be treated by their husband. In relation to this assertion, Fern in the story “Hungry Husbands” claims that women have the potential of making men do for them what they want in life (Fern 1794). In addition to this, it is evident that her gender influenced her stand in writing; she emphasizes on communism in doing things in the story “Hungry Husbands”. In support of this claim, Fern expresses her idea on community by asserting that a man needs the support of a woman in order to be happy in life. The same is in the case of women; they require the support of men in order to get some things in life. The practice of individualism by women was highly disregarded in the period before 1900. They were barred from exercising their freedom in not only clothing, but also walking and writing. In connection with this assertion, Fern argues in the story “Male Criticism on Ladies’ Books” that men criticized women who took part in writing. During that period, men believed that the profession of writing was only for men (Fern 1899). It is because of her gender that Fern decided to fight for the rights of women through writing. This is evidenced by her story “Fresh Leaves”. According to her effort, it is apparent that independent women like her fight for their rights in order to bring an influence in the society (Fern 1801). In the period before 1900, people did not live as a community. Men did their own things in solitude. They avoided women in not only decision making, but also movement. In connection with this assertion, Fern in her story “A Law More Nice than Just” associates men’s lack of joy in life with individualism. She argues that solitude of men contributes to their unhappiness because they do not share what they have in mind with anyone. From her argument, it is apparent that she as a woman advocates communism in some activities in life (Fern 1801). The period before 1900 is also associated with some few changes on practices. For instance, it is apparent that women were barred from wearing men apparels. It is also evident that women were barred from having independent walking like men. In other words, it is apparent that women individualism was highly disregarded during the period before 1900 (Fern 1802). However, this changed with time. Women with the spirit of individualism such as Fern wore men apparels as well as walked independently like men. This assertion is in tandem with what happens in her story “A Law More Nice than Just”. She made her husband Mr. Fern to allow her not only to wear trousers, but also to walk independently like men. Read More