The Individual as Described by Emerson and Melville - Term Paper Example

The Individual as described by Emerson and Melville Introduction An individual can be described as any kind of specified object or person. Individuality on the other hand, is the quality or state of being an individual. In particular, individuality examinessome of the factors that make a particualr individual to be different from another. various philosophers have made efforts in trying to explain more about the individual and how he functions in his particular environment and society. One of the best known philosphers, whose views and perspectives about an individual have been used in many discplines is Ralph Waldo Emerson and Melville. The thoughts of these great icons in the academic field has been instrumental in understanding some important aspcts of human life on their own as well as in their respective societies. It is on this understanding that this paper examines some of the perspectives of an individual as porposed by Melville and Emerson. Emerson and Melville Ralph Waldo Emerson, who existed between 1803 and 1882, can be described as the leading writer as well as thinker among the transcendentalists of New England (Emerson 23). During the time of Emerson, New England transcendentalism can be said to have been a philosophical and literal movement that was very successful, flourishing in the Massachusetts region and the adjoining areas especially before the time of civil war. Emerson was the son of a very Unitarian minister, being born in Boston. Emerson is said to have lived in Concord, a place that he stayed for a major part of his life (Emerson 34). On the other hand, Herman Melville (1819-1891) was a famous American novelist as well as writer of poets and various short stories that featured the state of life during the renaissance period in America (Melville 54). Most of the writings by Melville became public between 1846 and 1857, a time which they were published. Most of his writings were inspired by his experiences in life, especially as the common sailor, who moved in the spirit of adventure. Melville was also actively involved in the exploration of philosophy and literature as well as engagement in many of the contradictions that characterized the American society. The Individual as described by Emerson and Melville Emerson is said to have had full belief in an individual’s sanctity stating that be being fully compliant as a member of the society, man seems to forfeit his respective personal liberty since he has not capacity to have any kind of individual thought or individual act (Emerson 67). In short, Emerson says that freedom is the real sense of the word, especially when man cannot have any kind of individual thought. In this regard, man is reduced to a lesser man, becoming a creature that us guided by what he termed as “education,” which is the opium of his custom. According to Emerson, law, which can be described as being sacred is that which is part of the individual’s own nature. He says that “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind,” which means that according to Emerson (Melville 56), what makes a separation between man and an animal is the fact that man has the ability to think and make decisions that enhance the quality of life in his environment. Emerson regards an individual’s growth as a process in which he loses spirit of non-conformity and moral sentiment. The society is regarded as having an adverse effect towards the growth of each person’s independent spirit, inasmuch as solitude also plays a critical role. According to Emerson, senseless philanthropy that encourages a lot of dependence on the outside help is also thought as being very detrimental in examining the individual and his relationship with the society. When Emerson posits that an individual is supposed to live on his/her instincts, irrespective of whether they are from the devil or another source, he attempts to use the exaggeration in shocking his particular audience. However, the main idea that he attempts to put across is that inherent moral sentiments, which are responsible for making an individual self reliant cannot in anyway originate from the devil but from the individual himself. Total trust from an individual’s emotions can result from contradictions when his or her emotions change. However, Emerson holds the opinion that for an individual, life is actually an effective organic process, which inevitably involves many contradictions. The individual against the society Melville seems to be highly interested in the manner in which the society seems to make it hard for people to limit or curtail their individuality. According to the extracts from the warship Bellipotent, about the unassuming Billy, emerging from his respective former ship, rights-of-man, the aspect of symbolism appears to be rather explicit (Melville 61). The society comes out as being a very all-powerful, compelling the individual into active participation in a war. In doing this, the war dispenses the rights of a person in his particular society. According to Melville (2010), the names of these ships alone like Bellipotent, meaning “power of war” provides a wide suggestion of this concept by Melville. The dilemma by Vere the captain in handling Billy provides an illustration of the way in which the society needs a complete separation of an individual’s feelings from his particular social obligations. In the process of prosecuting Billy, Vere makes a decision to follow the provision of the law, irrespective the fact that his particular sense of Billy makes a personification of innocence and goodness. While feeling the heavy pressure of his particular position as the leader with the mandate of seeing his men obey the Mutiny Provisions, Vere seems to force himself in disregarding his feelings about the particular situation that Billy has found himself in. thereafter he makes a decision that his jurors are supposed to follow the same in the cases that come after (Melville 87). In this perspective Melville makes a suggestion that the law plays an important role in dictating the conscience of an individual and in the process governs the society. In filling the social role in the most effective manner, it is very necessary to go against an individual’s impulses. In being the best captain in this controversy, Vere is forced to do something, which he instinctually makes an interpretation as being morally wrong and condemning the innocence of the soul. The process of being a good and successful captain makes Vere to decide to be a bad and unreliable friend to Billy. This is because, by deciding to be good friend to his friend Billy, he would end up being the bad captain, something that would have affected the entire voyage. Conclusion In conclusion, Melville provides a scenario where one is supposed to make an important consideration in being the best and reliable member of the society. Sometimes, one has to compromise his values in order to do something that is thought to be good for the society. The views and perspective of Emerson and Melville about the society and how they interact with others in the society are important in guiding man’s decision making process over how to live in the society and manage his personal life. As writers, most of the writings that these great thinkers have made have resulted from the experiences they had in their curse of life. Sailing is said to have played big role in the life of Melville towards understanding the differences between man as an individual and man in the society. Generally, it is important to recognize the fact that man has an important part to play as far as making the society a better place to stay is concerned. Works Cited Emerson, Ralph Waldo. The Conduct of Life. Adelaide: U of Adelaide Library, 2008. Print. Melville, Herman. The Confidence-man His Masquerade. Waiheke Island: Floating, 2010. Print. Read More