Transcendentalism Examples Of Individualism

Many people want to reach self reliance and become one with themself. Although, some people never get the experience to live the life they want. Most people are bound down to a certain standard by society and feel obligated to obtain that standard to make the people around them satisfied. However, Edna Pontellier was not fettered by society and traveled down her own path. Edna gathered many choices of individualism, transcendentalism, and nonconformity. With regards to individualism, which means the habit or principle of being self-reliant, is widely shown in both Emersons and Chopin’s work. Emerson creates the idea that “There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is

A nonconformist is one who does not follow generally accepted beliefs, customs, or practices. Emerson states that “He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the names of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness, nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” (paragraph 3). Meaning if anyone truly wishes to have self reliance they will become a nonconformist because a nonconformist acts and thinks for only himself. Edna does indeed become a nonconformist; she turns her life upside down solely for herself and herself only. Edna says “ ‘I would give up the unessential; I would give up my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn’t give myself. I can’t make it more clear; it’s only something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me..’ ” (page 65). Edna voicing this to a close friend made it clear that she was a nonconformist. Emerson says “For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.” (paragraph 5). Meaning that a person who does not follow the “correct way” of living will be looked at as an outcast. Even Though, Emerson states this he also explains to the reader that it is okay for to be looked at as abnormal or different. He explains that if a nonconformist was to care then the person would be sitting at home sad and alone by himself. Although for a nonconformist not to care is self-reliance

Emerson’s says, “It is the harder because you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world 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…” (paragraph 4). Edna faces this challenge when her father comes into town and scolds her husband saying “ ‘You are too lenient to lenient by far...put your foot down good and hard; the only way to manage a wife. Take my word for it.’ ” (page 98). Edna’s father, the colonel, tires to edify Leonce and his wife 's relationship to keep Edna in line. However, Leonce lets Edna freely make her choices even if he does not agree with them all the time. Without a doubt, Edna achieved many goals throughout the novel. Throughout the novel Edna goes through many struggles with discovering herself. She comes to terms with what her idea of individualism and self reliance. Many people throughout their life do not get the opportunity to become one with themselves; although Edna was lucky enough to get to experience