Part A
Read the excerpt from Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance."
Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. Society is
a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each
shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is
conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and
customs.
1. What does the word "society" represent to Emerson?
A. aversion
B. conformity
C. liberty
D. virtue
2. What is Emerson's chief claim regarding society?