Interpretation, Individualism and Collectivism - Essay Example

?Interpretation Many experts, whether social, economic, or political, agree with the common phrase that no man is an island, a concept that may applyboth literally and constructively. In economic set ups for example, sellers, and buyers influence one another in relationships that depend on general market trends. Such trends are however established by collective impacts from individual members of the society. Political environments also identify collective positions that are sometimes so intense to determine people’s behaviors at personal levels. The greatest sense in the phrase is however noted in social set-ups in which culture and traditional beliefs are significant in people’s lives. I, in this paper, explore the extent of society’s impact on people’s individual thought. Individuals are the elementary units that form a society and the people’s unique behaviors and practices define cultures and traditions that play direct roles on people and the way they think. This is because culture defines norms and thoughts that are in some cases sacred. The story, ‘A very old man with enormous wings,’ identifies the active role of the society on people’s thoughts as the author demonstrates actions and opinions that are illustrated at individual level, but with great influence from the society. Such a position of the society’s influence is attributable to the author’s style of portraying thoughts and behaviors as norms that. Pelayo, one of the main characters, demonstrates this through his response to his child’s temperature during a night. Though he is not an expert in health matters, he and his wife holds an abstract opinion that crabs are the cause of the child’s temperature, an abstraction that can only emanate from generally held constructs, either implicitly or explicitly. The position that Pelayo and his wife hold after a scrutiny of an old stranger in their compound also identifies effects of the society on an individual’s thoughts. Even though they had an opinion on the possible mystery around the old man, their conscience can only trust the words of one of their neighbor who is believed to know every matter on earth. This general perception by the entire society about the woman’s knowledge influences Pelayo and her wife to trust in her word that the old man is an angel. The high level of faith in the woman from members of the society is also demonstrated by other people’s reliance on her opinion to regard the old man as an angel. If the society had not dictated faith in her then some people could have come up with different views about the man’s possible origin (Marqueze, 1-2). Significance of the society is also demonstrated through Father Gonzaga’s approach to understanding the man. The Father’s society, defined by religious beliefs, dictates his understanding of the possible identity of the old man and he casts doubts on the man’s identity of an angel. The social construct of his religion further bars him from making a pronouncement on the man and extensive communication and bureaucracy have to be followed in determining who, or what the old man is. Such identification is further based on social practices among some communities such as the Aramaic. Another aspect that communicates the society’s effect on individual’s thoughts is the people’s generally held opinions that angels have extraordinary powers and can perform miracles. People from different places exhibit this general perception, come to the old man for cleansing and healing and their faith manifest through changes in their various conditions. Similarly, the society’s influence on individual’s thoughts is evident from the fact that a perception that is generally held by many people can change, abruptly, because of developed knowledge from social issues. People do not need persuasion on social mattes and quickly understands them without any consultation. When a girl who disobeyed her parent and as a punishment turned to a different creature comes to the society, no one seeks the counsel of either the wise woman nor religious leaders because people understand that their social beliefs makes that possible. This further enlightens every member of the society, in the story, that the old mad could be another curse and they stop regarding him as an angel (Marqueze, 2-8). There are however, instances where individuals deviate from the society’s constructs to operate and behave on their own principles. This identifies the extreme level of individualism at which generally held concepts in a society are refuted for self-established theories that may appear controversial. An example of a case where an individual ceases to be influenced by the society is a phenomenon where a sick person who has acknowledged his sickness and understands that sickness requires treatment refuses to be treated because such is the society’s norm. Another example is a case of a formally educated man who understands that superstition is based on virtual constructs but still believes in superstition, contrary to his society’s knowledge. Such individualistic perspectives are also relative, variable across time because of lack of strong framework, and base because an individual may hold a position or opinion and later develop a contradictory one. The narrator in the story, ‘Underground,’ illustrates this variability through his approach, though in a symbolic manner, to defining his wickedness. His individualistic approach also identifies loss of identity as a person tries to deviate from the society’s defined identities and realizes that nothing exists that the society has not defined. Separating an individual from the society’s influence therefore makes the individual irrelevant on every issue. The narrator for example understands potential conflict between his opinion and those of his audience and has to constantly explain every point and emphasize his explanations (Dostoevsky, 1-16). Individualism and collectivism defines two extremes in the relationship between an individual and the society. Those who freely interact with the society allow for social influence while other people are rigid and resent social constructs. The society, however has significant effect on people who are open to it and it define the people’s behavior and thoughts through collectively established norms that are transferred from one generation to another. The norms further identify social order and cohesion. Extreme cases in which individuals alienate themselves from influence of the society however illustrate self-contradiction and intellectual isolation. The relation between an individual and the society is therefore a strong one that shapes a person’s life and ensures order and strong interpersonal relationships. Works cited Dostoevsky, Fyodor. “Notes from the underground.” Planet. N.d. Web. March 15, 2012. . Marqueze, Gabriel. “A very old man with enormous wings: A tale for children.” North Central University. N.d. Web. March 15, 2013. . Read More