Emily Dickinson Self Vs Society

Self v Society: Who do I trust? Paradigms evolve and develop alongside society; although, some well-known paradigms directly contrast the concept of relying on this society. Romanticism, Transcendentalism, and Enlightenment all believe in distinctly different ideals based upon self-ethics and society. The characteristics coined by these paradigms are extremes, but by taking characteristics from each paradigm in moderation, an ideal paradigm can be established. Through focusing on self-truths and finding a balance between hard work and leisure before entering into a selective small society, a person can successfully avoid conforming to societal expectations and live a life of happiness and prosperity. As expounded in the writings of Ralph Waldo …show more content…
By choosing a small society in which to involve oneself with, it is guaranteed that there will always be people there to talk to when needed. With a large society, isolation is a prominent attribute. Therefore, in order to maintain a healthy, enjoyable life, it is crucial to choose a society wisely. Emily Dickinson displays this concept in her poem “The Soul Selects Her Own Society” by explaining that she only needs to choose one person to associate herself with and after that she can close herself to the rest of the world. Dickinson states, “Choose One – then – close the Valves of her attention – like stone” (Dickinson 220). In saying this, Dickinson cultivates the idea that once a small society is chosen there is no more room for others, the decision of a selective society is set in stone. Some strive to be popular and liked by everyone, but this causes a sense of emptiness and depression. Rather than having a large group of people who know little more than a person’s name, a tight-knit society containing people that are willing to support the others in the society is