The Rogue Individual
In today's constantly connected world, finding solitude has become a lost art. In fact, Western culture tends to equate a desire for solitude with people who are lonely, sad, or have antisocial tendencies. Solitude is the basis for individualism which is an essential aspect to a successful society because individuality reflects strength in a community as a whole. Self-reliant individuals together create a capitalist society in which people are forced to compete for success. Individuality spurs progress, originality, and self-sacrifice. However, expressing individuality is a weak action if it cannot be maintained in the real world. Upholding this is Ralph Waldo Emerson who states in his essay Self Reliance, “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude” (Emerson 146). Society and individuals are bound by a harmonious union in which the productive outcomes of individuals who spend time alone collectively lead to a progressive civilization.
Although Emerson’s nonconformist ideals may come off as selfish when he declares, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think,” the principle of self-reliance is a significant and valuable asset to have for a gratifying life. The more self-reliant people are, the more they can help others. Justified by the fact that those who are incapable of being independent often have a difficult time offering assistance to anyone else. If perceived differently, Emerson has a moral argument for self-reliance because he proposes self-reliance and spending time alone has a later effect of being generous, charitable, and actively compassionate to others. Emerson also expresses how society is considered to have an adverse effect on the