Individual Knowledge and Power in Dickinson, Alexie, and Carver

Introduction: Individual Growth Beyond Social Norms

19th-century poet Emily Dickinson is famous for her writing about the sometimes odd quality of being human — or rather, the unnatural social norms that humanity has constructed. Dickinson claims that "[m]uch Sense — the starkest Madness — / 'Tis the Majority," meaning that most people guide their lives through typical principles of an objective common sense. Despite the best efforts of the philosophers and statesmen who have fostered Western principles of common sense throughout the centuries, people are not mathematical certainties; and while general rules are essential to the well-being of the population, individual lives cannot be dictated by a standardized social formula. True human growth and progress is a journey often taken alone, in which a person has to develop his or her own ideas of right and wrong. This essay examines three different ways in which individual knowledge and power are originated, fostered, and sustained: Emily Dickinson's "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" shows the importance of self-awareness, Sherman Alexie's "Superman and Me" exemplifies self-responsibility, and Raymond Carver's "Cathedral" illuminates the need for self-correction.

Self-Awareness in Dickinson's 'Much Madness is Divinest Sense'

All individual and social progress first begins with a thought. Dickinson's poem "Much Madness is Divinest Sense" points out that "[t]o a discerning Eye," "[m]adness" is true common sense, in contrast to "Much Sense" which is "the starkest [m]adness." The poem plays with different ideas of sanity and madness, which carried great significance in the socially rigid 19th-century East Coast America of Dickinson's time. Those statements about individual power through personal knowledge remain extremely relevant in contemporary society as well. Dickinson's poetry is timeless in that her explorations of self-awareness as a certain kind of social freedom are invaluable at many crossroads throughout a person's life; she thus remains a deceptively demure truth-teller to this day ("Much Madness").

Self-Reliance in Alexie's 'Superman and Me'

Once self-awareness is achieved, action is essential to making real change in the world — even if only in one's own life. Sherman Alexie's "Superman and Me" tells the story of his own experience growing up as a Native American, and how that identity shaped his entire life. Alexie, however, was determined not to let his cultural and economic status dictate his successes and capabilities. He writes: "I read anything that had words and paragraphs. I read with equal parts joy and desperation. I loved those books, but I also knew that love had only one purpose. I was trying to save my life" (Alexie, "Superman and Me"). On the road to individual knowledge and power, Alexie discovered the importance of taking responsibility for one's social status, emotional health, and economic position. While acting self-reliantly may not be able to change present circumstances, present choices and decisions do significantly impact future circumstances. Alexie's declaration of self-reliance in the face of fear and uncertainty artfully shows that through the proactive use of individual knowledge, one achieves ever greater power.

Conclusion: The Pillars of Individual Knowledge and Power

The ability of people to individually assess their mental and physical patterns through self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-flexibility seems to be key to the proliferation of individual knowledge and power. Dickinson, Alexie, and Carver all contribute to this age-old tradition of personal growth and discovery, each offering a critical and unique point for consideration.