Society and solitude: Twelve chapters

"Society and Solitude: Twelve Chapters" by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a collection of essays that considers the relationship between a person and the world around them. It looks at big ideas like being alone, being part of a group, making art, and speaking well. Emerson thinks about how being alone can help people come up with new ideas and think hard, but also understands that being with others is important for people to grow and become better people. The book begins with a story about a funny person the author meets. This person feels like they can't talk to others and wants to hide from everyone, showing that they are unsure of themselves and struggling with life. Emerson uses this meeting to talk about how hard it is for people to be themselves while also dealing with what society expects of them, suggesting that being alone is often needed to achieve great things. The first chapter points toward Emerson figuring out how people move through the difficulties of the world while trying to find true connection and be happy.