not a Man. Only the whole crowd shows the entire Man.
Division and Loss: After the split, the parts forgot the trunk. Skills were “parcelled out” to many hands. Then each worker saw only his tool. Dignity was lost in daily routine. Emerson shows this with a sharp line:
“The planter, who is Man sent out into the field to gather food, is seldom cheered by any idea of the true dignity of his ministry.”
He sees bushel and cart only. He forgets the high aim. Thus, men walk as broken pieces.
Man Thinking Ideal: Emerson gives the cure and model. The scholar must be Man Thinking. He must not copy other minds. He must see nature, books, and life. He must unite thought and duty. Emerson warns us in clear words:
“In the right state, he is Man Thinking. In the degenerate state… a parrot of other men’s thinking.”
So, the task is strong self-trust. A scholar has to think for truth, not for fame. Then the broken parts grow whole.
Books and Action: How can parts join again? The proper use of books can help in this regard. But blind study harms the mind. Emerson is blunt about that:
“Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst.”
He suggests to read to spark new thought. Read to serve living truth. Then act among common people. A scholar must has to work, talk, and learn their speech. Life turns to insight with time. Thus, thought and action weave unity. The divided person becomes rich and whole.
Return to Unity: The scholar has a public duty. He must keep brave, clear eyes. He must lift and guide all. Emerson sets the task in one line:
“The office of the scholar is to cheer, to raise and to guide men by showing them facts amidst appearances.”
He must face hunger and scorn. He must tell truth, not fashion. He must join class to class. Then One Man lives again. The nation gains a single mind.
In summary, Emerson’s fable is plain and deep. One Man was split for work and help. But the split made pride and loss. The cure is Man Thinking, with self-trust. He reads well, and he acts well. He serves truth, not fashion or gain. He joins the farmer, the clerk, and the priest. Then the parts come together as one whole. Thus, the scholar heals the age. Hence, the spirit of One Man returns.
Continue Reading
Subscribe to access the full content
Upgrade to Premium