Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “you can have joy or you can have power, but you can’t have both.” This transcendentalist quote may appear to be inherently simple, but it can become quite profound in its explanation. I felt that the best place to start interpreting Emerson’s words would be would be The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Power was defined as the “possession of control, authority, or influence over others,” while Joy was defined as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” My first literal interpretations lead me to disagree with the quote. I reasoned that “possessing what one desires” could agree with “possessing control, authority, or influence over others”. I began to think that it could not be that simple, and that there must be much more to both sides if Emerson was wiling to say it. The following paragraphs are my reasons, opinions, and assumptions on what I believe the quote could mean.
The first example that came to my mind was how I have much more control and influence over my world than I used to. Does that mean I am powerful? I am usually pretty passive, so I hope not, but I thought about how I can drive, hunt big game, and almost buy cigarettes. It appears to me that my ability to influence the world around me is in correlation with the amount of responsibilities I have. I now have a job, and have to worry about car insurance, buying gas, and driving safely. I think how much happier I would be without a job, and various “holes” in my wallet, and wonder if my brother, who is four years younger than me, is more joyful. He can go home after school, and watch T.V., he can sleep in on the weekends, and play video games while I’m at work; ye...
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...ngst a group, especially when it allows me to set up closer and more meaningful relations.
It can also be stated that some people thrive on organizing, and supervising other people. It is possible for some to find joy in their power. These people usually make a busy life part of their routine, and they probably enjoy having responsibility. Yes, they have more to worry about, but looking back at the end of the each day they can see what there is to be happy for, and the change they created.
Emerson did know what he was saying. No Question. There are always exceptions to rules and quotes like his, but that does not in any way diminish their importance. I am pretty sure that I know what he was trying to say, but I become confused when I start looking at it from different perspectives. Over thinking, could be the exact thing Emerson wished to elicit from our minds.
“My husband had this wonderful magnetic quality-this glow-he’d just point those incredible blue eyes at you and you’d feel like you were under a big hot sun or something…” (O’Brien 195). Many people described Paul Wade, John’s dad, as powerful and influential. So influential, in fact, a kid from John Wade’s class claims he “wish[es] he was my father” (O’Brien 67). Often, the words power and influence go hand in hand. However, these words possess two different meanings. According to the Oxford Learner’s dictionary, power is defined as “The ability to control people or things ” (Oxford Learner’s). While power is described as the ability to control, the term influential is defined as “The effect that somebody/something has on the way a person thinks or behaves or on the way that something works or develops” (Oxford Learner’s). Paul has little power over John; however, Paul’s indirect influence leaves a long lasting, negative impact on his son’s actions.
Though everyone has their own definition of happiness and how it may be achieved, many still fall victim to society’s overwhelming standards and high expectations of how one should live. Throughout life, many that seek power may claim to have the answers one yearns for in order to gain the trust and loyalty they need to rule. However, by letting the ideas of the superior classes in society influence the course of actions one takes to achieve happiness, one automatically forfeits their natural right for the pursuit of happiness because how some may view happiness is not necessarily what one may want out of life. Various authors have portrayed this sense of absolute power through their writing as a way to bring awareness about the lack of control
Three ideas that Emerson shares is that people need to have more self-trust, people need to stop being fake and also that society plays a big factor on peoples decision making. Thoreau also shares three ideas with us, he says people should stay true to their heart’s desire and ignore what society thinks, be themselves and not act like someone they’re not, and last but not least, people should stay true to their own thoughts and not let others convince them that their thoughts are incorrect. I believe that people in today’s world try too hard to be someone they’re really not and also that they
Power is both a mental and physical characteristic that people define through knowledge, strength, and money. People who embody these traits are exceedingly hard to come by and almost cease to exist. In today’s age it is a demanding task to find a person who has absolutely mastered a specific trade. For an individual to become powerful they must acquire a vast amount of knowledge in that subject area to convince others and prove their arguments factual. A knowledgeable being will have a sharp edge over competitors allowing them to rise to the top, leaving opponents in the dust. People who have obtained a substantial amount of strength are more likely to be successful when attempting tasks and missions. An individual who has strength has more stability, courage, and fortitude. A person who displays these attributes has what it takes to control large amounts of people as well as face those people in a devastating situation. In this society it is impossible to gain access to power without one very valuable resource. Most people spend a rather large portion of their day either carrying, counting, or spending this power-granting asset. With money an individual can purchase anything they desire and prove status to other lowlife humans. The more money a person has, the more materialistic goods they can possess. Many people who have very large quantities of...
...n individual positively and negatively. Too much power and lack of power changes Tyron positively and negatively because of his teachers and friends. Too much power changes Tyrone positively by, he now knows his point of view on life and he gets along with his classmates very well, lack of power changes Tyrone negatively because of the white people that are messing with his future. Too much power changes Napoleon positively by, he can control the farm and the animals, it changes him negatively by, he has lost his identity and he treats the animals cruelly. Too much power changes Iago negatively by, he has lost his identity and in the end his plan fails and he is now powerless. These are some of the ways that too much power and lack of power changes an individual positively and negatively as seen in the books Bronx Masquerade, Animal Farm and the play Othello.
The size of a group is considered to be a restrictive condition on the quantity and quality of connection that can transpire amongst particular members. Kephart (1950) established that as group size increases the number of relationships that exist among member’s increases greatly. He suggests that as a result of this increase in relationships among members there will be an increased tendency towards divisions into subgroups in which participants relate to one another.
In the book, Obasan, Joy Kogawa uses imagery to convey different symbolic meanings in Naomi's life. Naomi goes through a journey in the novel to uncover the truth of her past. One of the many literary elements that the novel possesses is animal imagery that emphasizes meaning and contributes to the novel's theme. Several animals are mentioned throughout the novel to represent Naomi's emotions and her journey. Kogawa utilizes the several instances of animal imagery in her novel, Obasan, to reveal the nature of power, both physically and emotionally, and the victim of power—Naomi. Animals such as the chicks represent Naomi's helplessness and innocence as she lived in a world without her mother or knowledge of her history. The animals that Kogawa uses, kittens, chicks, and birds, are not strong enough against humans. They are not lions or tigers that can do harm upon other animals or human beings, therefore this makes them easily threatened and killed by power.
People have many different dreams, and many different ingredients for happiness. Some people relay on love, others lean towards money, it may be achieved through money, relationships, or even the misfortune of others, but why does power have the persuasion to change a person and what drives them to gain more?
People similar to Adolf Hitler and Barack Obama come to mind when power is brought up. They have control over entire nations, and are two well knows people in the world. Although somebody like Barack Obama is famous for his power and uses it for the greater good, other people like Adolf Hitler are notorious for using his power to hurt others and to help themselves. There have been many different ways power is used in the world since the beginning of time. Abraham Lincoln once said “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” Lincoln is saying that if you give a man power, he will either use it to help people, or help himself. The average person would say that power is a strong trait to
Since man can see all, it seems logical that therefore he can define it however he should choose (Emerson implies this later in the essay). Therefore, man also can define himself Man can create his own world in the world created for him. Unfortunately, this may again lead to the corrupt society that Emerson condemns.
Power has been defined as the psychological relations over another to get them to do what you want them to do. We are exposed to forms of power from the time of birth. Our parents exercise power over us to behave in a way they deem appropriate. In school, teachers use their power to help us learn. When we enter the work world the power of our boss motivates us to perform and desire to move up the corporate ladder so that we too can intimidate someone with power one day. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness Kurtz had a power over the jungle and its people that was inexplicable.
For example, my group communicates quite clearly and effectively with one another, which has created more of a positive sense of equal interaction and bond between each member over the course.
The quote “To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child” …One should look at everything as if it is the first time, sheading the skin of adult hood and accepting the innocence of youth. Emerson exemplifies the importance of youthfulness; he believed that when one experience the pleasure of nature it is essential to see nature through the eyes of a child. Emerson exemplifies the importance of youthfulness; he believed that when one experience the pleasure of nature it is essential to see nature through the eyes of a
Personal power comes from an inner sense of security, from knowing who you are in your soul, from having defined your own intrinsic worth. It is the power that flows through you when you are connected to and feel your oneness with a spiritual source of guidance. It is the power that is the eventual result of doing deep inner emotional and spiritual
For some people, being the boss, and which by boss I mean business owner, would be the greatest thing ever. Most think you get to pick your own hours, make the most money, and make everyone do the things you want done. Of course there is work involved and it takes work to make it but the rewards will be better owning a business that succeeds. The ultimate goal is becoming a millionaire and retiring at the age of forty and just drawing money from business production. However they really don’t understand the work it takes to make it a million dollar company. When these people are finally able to own a business they get a rude awakening. I am in no way trying to offend the typical business owner when I say, owning a business can be a challenging task that can cause many complications in your life and if you’re not careful they can change your life entirely.