The Following Passage Comes From The Common Life A 1994 Ess

The Following Passage Comes From The Common Life A 19994 Ess

Topic: The following passage comes from "The Common Life," a 19994 essay by the American writer Scott Russell Sanders. Read the passage carefully and then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies Sanders' ideas about the relationship between the individual and society in the United States. Use specific evidence to support your position. "A woman who recently moved from Los Angeles to Bloomington [Indiana] told me that she would not be able to stay here long, because she was already beginning to recognize people in the grocery stores, on the sidewalks, in the library. Being surrounded by familiar faces made her nervous, after years in a city where she could range about anonymously.

Every traveler knows the sense of liberation that comes from journeying to a place where nobody expects anything of you. Everyone who has gone to college knows the exhilaration of slipping away from the watchful eyes of Mom and Dad. We all need seasons of withdrawal from responsibility. But if we make a career of being unaccountable, we have lost something essential to our humanity, and we may well become a burden or a threat to those around us. A community can support a number of people who are just passing through, or who care about no one's needs but their own; the greater the proportion of such people, however, the more vulnerable the community, until eventually it breaks down....Taking part in the common life means dwelling in a web of relationships, the many threads tugging at you while also holding you upright."

Paper For Above instruction

In Scott Russell Sanders' essay "The Common Life," he explores the delicate balance between individual freedom and societal responsibility. Sanders posits that while moments of withdrawal from social responsibilities can be beneficial for personal growth, sustained detachment risks fragmenting community life and undermining the interconnectedness necessary for societal stability. This essay aims to evaluate Sanders’ ideas by defending the importance of community engagement as essential to sustaining social cohesion, while also recognizing the value of personal independence.

Sanders highlights the tension between anonymity and familiarity within community life. He reflects on a woman who found her sense of freedom in anonymity in Los Angeles but struggled with the intimacy of a smaller community in Bloomington. This contrast underscores a key debate in American society: whether individual identity flourishes or diminishes within communal settings. The American cultural narrative often champions individualism—evident in the frontier spirit and the ethos of independence—yet Sanders suggests that such independence, if taken to an extreme, can corrode the social fabric. Supporting this perspective, research shows that social capital—the networks of trust and mutual support—correlates strongly with community well-being and resilience (Putnam, 2000). Without active participation, communities risk becoming fragmented, and individuals may experience alienation, as Sanders warns.

Furthermore, Sanders acknowledges the human need for periods of withdrawal, comparing them to college or travel, where personal freedom is paramount. These moments are vital for self-discovery and renewal. However, he warns against the danger of making unaccountability a career. This caution aligns with the view that sustained disengagement from societal responsibilities can lead to social decay. For example, in the context of civic life, increased political apathy and disengagement threaten the functioning of democracy (Verba, Schlozman, & Brady, 1995). When individuals retreat from their roles as active citizens, the stability of the community diminishes, and vulnerability increases.

Sanders advocates for engaging in the “web of relationships” that holds communities upright. This metaphor emphasizes interconnectedness and mutual dependence, core principles in social capital theory. By participating in collective life—volunteering, civic participation, and fostering social ties—individuals reinforce the communal threads that support societal resilience (Coleman, 1988). While personal autonomy remains vital, Sanders’ view underscores that true freedom includes the responsibility to contribute to the common good.

In conclusion, Sanders presents a compelling argument that balanced engagement is essential for both individual fulfillment and societal health. Recognizing the importance of seasons of withdrawal does not negate the need for active participation in community life. Instead, it emphasizes a cycle where personal renewal enriches social ties, which in turn sustains individual well-being. American society benefits most when individuals understand that their freedom and identity are intertwined with the community's vitality, forging a collective strength that can withstand societal challenges.

References

• Coleman, J. S. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94, S95–S120.
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.
• Verba, S., Schlozman, K. L., & Brady, H. E. (1995). Voice and Equality: Civic Voluntarism and American Politics. Harvard University Press.