As a family tree branches off into many different catagories
of family members, the conflict of self vs. society and the world
branches in the same fashion leaving many levels and types of
indiference that cause the inequality between you and them.
Attitude, confidence, self expression, shyness, openess, etc.
, are
all aide or stall action to stay within the stream of the norm or
step out of the stream and dangle your wet toes on to society
and except any result and reaction that is returned by the worlds
looks and opinion on you. Negative or positve. As we read and
study Emerson, we learn and are reminded of the often
mentioned soul in his writing. The oversoulwhich is also
mentioned alot is another facor to add tp the completion of the
SOUL. Your soul is what comes naturally.
The action of the soul os oftener in that which is felt and
left unsaid, than in that which is said in any conversation.
It
broods over every society, and they unconsiously seek for it in
each other. We know better than we do. We do not yet possess
ourselves, and we know at the same time that we are much
more. I feel the same truth how often in my trivial conversation
with my neighbors, that somewhat higher in each of us overlooks
this by-play, and Jove nods to Jove from behind each of us.
--- Emerson
In this paragraph Emerson is saying that a society never
excepts or is never able to except someones soul. Only the
oversoul which is what is given to society your look, your
attitude, your reactions, etc.
To know someones soul or feel it is
to feel it without knowing that you just experienced it at all. We
know more then we think we do but there are glitches in our
oversoul that stops us from knowing the truths of our souls.
The oversoul is what society either excepts our rebukes, and
the way you personally handle the reactions is how it will effect
you. I think that Emerson suggests as in a quote The world, - -
this shadow of the soul, or _other me_, lies wide around. Its
attractions are the keys which unlock my thoughts and make me
acquainted with myself..
. . I do not see how any man can
afford, for sake of his nerves and his nap, to spare any action in
which he can partake. . .
I take this as Emerson is saying that
letting society change and effect you changing your norm is
ubsurd.
