The ways to deal with the idea of thinking for oneself according to novels "Daisy Miller: A

Study" and "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James are helpful. Daisy Miller is a young,

incredibly attractive young American girl who, through her unexpected behaviour, surprises the

more formal European society (James, H. (2011) Daisy Miller) and in "The Portrait of a Lady"

Isabel Archer is a free, independent young American girl who becomes an inherited (James, H.

(2011) The portrait of a lady). Henry James novels arises several questions related to

independent thinking and these questions are: Much of the time can you worry about or reason

stuff without relying on the advice or thoughts of others? Are your own experiences, emotions,

beliefs and imagination comfortable drawing? Do you think like yourself, instead of conforming

to (or saying or being) what others wish you to do? If a person answered ‘Yes’ to these

questions, he/she would be an Independent Thinker. Independent thinking is trustful to rely on

your own natural intellect and to focus on your own beliefs and principles that drive you instead

of someone else (James, H. (2011).

It is Good thing and is important because others will just try to do it for you if you don't think for

yourself! Many people out are able to tell you what to do, to steer and influence you and to

decide for you. Also, you couldn't talk about yourself if you don't think about yourself – so some

can step in and talk or view you in a way that you haven't. And you certainly do not add the

worth you might or are fully happy or dedicated if you do not think for yourself or express your

special thoughts. And people can think you don't exist if you don't have a voice. It is necessary to

be an independent thinker because the success of what we do depends first of all on the quality of

our thought. Whether you rejuvenate or hold the feelings of others, this isn't healthy thinking.

Ineffective reasoning leads to ineffective choices and actions in our personal and working lives,

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or even catastrophic ones; how many times have you watched the television and thought "What

did they think?" (James, H. (2011).

But some people just don't know what they believe, or have the confidence to think for

themselves, willingness or resources. The idea that critical thought may entail taking chances,

such as being controversial, challenging the mainstream, or considering oneself as separate or

uncooperative is not always easy. It could sound egotistical. The query "What do you think?"

may make some people feel vulnerable and sometimes it can have significant implications to

express what they really think. Others ought to approve their opinions endlessly, regardless of

whether they are strong proof that they are wise and worthy. And in some situations, people

either stop thinking, or simply stay silent so a type of acquired impotence is formed – they get so

used to expressing what they think or do that they can't do it themselves anymore. (CliffsNotes

Study Guides).

Fortunately, it's not for your own sake that independent thinking can go your way! It means that

your decisions are innovative and more considered. Really little children really don't know how

to think of themselves, because they have not yet had their life experience or understood how to

reason when they have imagination. For example, children are experts of seeking (and always

getting) freedom but are not always masters in independent thought - the decision of the baby is

not always wise. One of the roles of parenting is therefore to develop children's autonomous

minds. And when we grow up, independent thinking is important to all of our interactions and

choices because our parents or carers are not around to direct our thinking. As we need a variety

of logical thinking skills in the diverse society in which we now live, for example, being curious,

being capable of recognizing multiple options before acting, weighing up the advantages and

disadvantages, addressing challenges alone and with others, resisting gullibility, generating

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concepts and various perspectives, incorporating imagination and plurality into a group's

thinking. You cannot be a target of other people's expectations – that you cannot think or have a

potential to understand how to do so if you do not develop critical reasoning capacities. "To

people here can't imagine!" or "I've got to say them what to do because he doesn't have

something on his own." I listen with a depressing regularity. And then you can become a

marionette in another theatre, or a prisoner by yourself, without critical thought. (CliffsNotes

Study Guides).

Unless you're not confident if you're an independent thinker and you have to ask someone else,

you certainly aren't! A person is an innovative, rigorous and brave who is an independent thinker

who is capable of insightful original thought, of taking chances, of focusing on what matters to

you while being also mindful of other people, their interests and their prospects.

It is sometimes a bad thing and a risky thing because during multiple encounters every day, ideas

are discussed between individuals and groups of people. This may arise at a corporate

conference, during a presentation, during a community meeting, etc. The willingness to consider

other people's thoughts is a soft skill necessary during these experiences. It does not simply mean

that we agree entirely with what others suggest, but that we consider these concepts as workable,

rational and even feasible. There are some reasons below for being more open to thoughts of

other people (CliffsNotes Study Guides).

Nobody is dominated by positive thoughts. Nobody or party retains some opinions. Any person

and group of people has the ability, including those you least predict, to deliver good ideas at any

given time. Therefore you should accept the thoughts of others for they could be very useful.

You never know. You never do.

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Leadership calls for all thoughts to be heard and considered. Leaders must listen to everyone's

thoughts and suggestions. And this applies in any field of life, whether it be at a corporate

meeting or a conference. The explanation is that everyone has the same right to add thoughts

without being disregarded or overlooked. Hearing and hearing the ideas of other people is also a

positive leadership attribute – one you certainly want to improve if you want to be a good leader.

The thoughts of other people may be fantastic or even greater than yours. Ideas lead to

addressing or developing new challenges. Hearing and embracing the suggestions of people

would help you to boost the chances of improving these chances more easily and efficiently and

of solving your problems. And that's because there are those who have stronger thoughts than

yours regardless of how knowledgeable you are. And the best way to find out is to give the

thoughts of others a chance. (CliffsNotes Study Guides).

It can help to prevent confrontation by accepting suggestions of other people. When people are

not able to express their views or when their thoughts are not treated seriously, they appear to

feel irritated, resulting in tension. This is often used in public debates, bilateral and multilateral

meetings etc. It indicates that you are worried with their views that people accept thoughts of

other people. And it takes a long time to sustain civilization and prevent war.

To support others to rise. You also ought to embrace the thoughts of other people and they allow

them to evolve. For leadership roles, e. g. an instructor, community leader, parent etc., this is

highly important. You encourage others to see their thoughts in motion by embracing the ideas of

others. And whether or not these ideas work, contributors learn useful lessons for their personal

development. If an instructor lacks a student's thoughts or responses, for instance, the student

may never have the ability to academically learn and improve. (James, H. (2011).

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References:

 CliffsNotes Study Guides | Book Summaries, Test Preparation & Homework Help |

Written by Teachers. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/p/the-portrait-of-a-

lady/book-summary

 CliffsNotes Study Guides | Book Summaries, Test Preparation & Homework Help |

Written by Teachers. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/d/daisy-miller/book-

summary

 James, H. (2011). The portrait of a lady. Penguin Classics.

 James, H. (2011). Daisy Miller. Broadview Press.