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. — EmersonIn 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.
