In the text “Self-Reliemce”, Ralph Waldo Emerson defends that “Society everywhere

is in a conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members.” This means that people

should be themselves and not try to fit in. It also demonstrates that society is always trying to

change the way people act.

In this quote, Emerson makes society the antagonist of man, which is always working

against individuality. He also demonstrates this idea in this part of the text: “Society is a

joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each

shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater.” This means that society forces

people to give up their individuality, in order to have a better coexistence. However, this

situation makes people lose track of who they really are and want. So, society acts as a tool

for indoctrinating the actions of its members. This view is also defended by Jean-Jacques

Rousseau, who says that everyone is born a good person, but the environment changes it.

Taking into consideration both ideas it is possible to realize that men lose their natural state.

Another idea that the quote gives is that society emasculates men. This tough comes

from the belief that individuals are asked to conform, which means that they get weaker when

they aspire to be liked o get approved by others. Emerson also shows that society “whips” the

ones that are not conforming. In the book “The Catcher in the Rye”, the main character

Holden Caulfield does not act in the expectations of society, which makes him expelled from

prep. So, it is possible to see examples in real life of people suffering from being authentic

and having their own individuality, which should not happen in a free society.

Finally, the quote “Society everywhere is in a conspiracy against the manhood of

every one of its members.” evidences the modem daily basis, in which people need to change

to be liked and accepted. So, human individuality and masculinity are being lost through the

years.