Noun
|
while the Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines it as
: companionship or association with one's fellows friendly or intimate intercourse : company
2
I think that the clause in definition 2 where it references "common beliefs" is key because it is often these beliefs by which we define society. Do you agree with any of these definitions? Why or why not? If society is no more than common beliefs, can we still blame it for Dimmesdale's destruction? Do we recognize society as a perceptible "thing" or an idea?
I don't know about anyone else but this post has a strange format on my screen, so I can't read it all. However, the definitions I can read kind of make me laugh. The "ordered community" bit is a trifle ironic because how ordered is society, really? I mean there's usually some dispute, conflict, trouble, fear, something less than ordered that is going on. "The voluntary association of individuals for common ends" is really interesting, especially when applied to "The Scarlet Letter." I was thinking about Hester's place in society. I feel like her remaining in this society (which scorns her and will never truly forgive her) is less voluntary than a punishment from which she doesn't feel she can escape. As for "common ends," what kind of common end is she trying to attain with the "help" of society?
ReplyDelete