1. Aspects of today's American culture that reflect Emerson's belief in self-reliance, I think, would maybe be free thinking? Also, the fact that people often change their minds and are often misunderstood with what they are saying. Possibly.
2. Recall: Conspiracy, joint-stock company.
Interpret: Society's main purpose, according to Emerson, is to take away all free thought and individuality.
Draw Conclusions: Emerson believes people should be affected by the way others perceive them as nonchalant. It shouldn't matter what people think of you.
3. Pythagoras, Socrates, and the rest of the scientists were all widely known and misinterpreted. To be great is to be misunderstood is an backed up by all the greats in the world were in some way, shape, or form misunderstood at one point or another.
4. Foolish is important because it makes a clear point on Emerson's opinion on what he was writing of. Emerson thinks that each person's reason for living is, in one way of description, to take away something from another, whether it be mentally or physically. He pinpointed individuality and freedom of thought.
5. When Emerson says divine, I think in a way he is saying fate. What circumstances one is going to go through is already predetermined, and going to happen regardless.
6. I think I would choose "to be great is to be misunderstood" as a guideline for personal conduct, because I love the irony of it, and it's telling that it's okay to not be perfect, and you can still make something of yourself regardless of perfection.
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