Hobbsbawm Analysis

The purpose of the individual during this time period has also been widely discussed and debated. While some agree with the argument that the individual is central to progress, some authors also feel that creating the distinctions in society bring about negative side effects. For this section Hobbsbawm and Woods are able to back up their points with valid evidence. Hobbsbawm is an author that is for the development of the individual. As I’ve stated before Hobbsbawm feels progress wouldn’t be possible without the individual being created. The progression of Art and the culture of the common people were able to expand in ways they hadn’t yet been explored. The social function of the artist was clear, his relation to the public direct, and the way in which he answers questions is answered by …show more content…
This is where the artist is able to come in and expand on the popular taste of the people creating the feeling that as an individual likes and dislikes could differ. Woods was going along the same track as Hobbsbawm but Woods feels that the creation of the individual is inevitable. Although Woods explains the inevitability of the individual he cautions that with the individual gaining awareness of the differences this is where more class distinctions and a greater hierarchy are seen; something the Americas tried to stay away from. Secondly, the Americas experienced their own form of revolution: the democratic revolution that happened to be Western wide at the time. (124) The democratic revolution reshaped the contours of society in America; starting with the paternal and personal relations of the