Question

In "Self Reliance," Emerson writes, “But the man is, as it were, clapped into jail by his consciousness. As soon as he has once acted or spoken with eclat, he is a committed person, watched by the sympathy or the hatred of hundreds, whose affections must

now enter into his account."

Which of these adjectives best reflects Emerson's attitude in that statement?

Enthusiastic

Warm

Alarmed

Joyful

Answer 1

In the provided passage, the adjective option that seems more fitting is alarmed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alarmed is the best adjective of the options because the tone of the statement is negative. Emerson describes a man who is trapped by his consciousness. And when he shows the first sign of being good at something (eclat), people start to pay attention (out of sympathy or out of hatred) and he is forced or obligated to consider them and to take what they feel into account. It seems like Emerson is trying to critique this as a burden or a drain on his consciousness how "the man" is held to his first initial demonstration of "eclat." Emerson does not like conformity and being forced into conformity.