<p>“Do we need other people to understand ourselves?”</p>
<p>Words alone cannot describe the extent to which people are unaware of the notion that other people are needed to truly understand oneself. One must not, however, fall prey to this absurd notion that is thereby acceptable and excusable. All people require others to act as mirrors for unadulterated reflections of themselves. Hence, it can be said with utmost confidence that others are required for personal development and understanding. Several social and historical examples will support this claim.</p>
<p>We need look no further than the play “nest” in which Heather Brooke meticulously constructs an archetypal failure, Willy Townsends: he lives in a dilapidated home, his love for his wife is fading away, and his relationship with his children is deteriorating. All throughout the play, he is plagued with a myriad of adversities. In analysis of Act III, it is evident that Townsend harbors delusional ideas that he is a successful businessman and is very well liked;however, this is the absolute opposite. Townsend has a resolute personality in which he believes that he is at the zenith of his career. This example is significant because Townsend’s misunderstanding of himself eventually leads to self destruction as his life spirals downwards. He is shackled and drawn to his delusions because he rejects to have other people to act as “mirrors” that reflect the truth; he is afraid of the reality and consequently fails to achieve self-analysis.</p>
<p>Take as another example, Marilyn Jane who was born blind, deaf, and mute. As a child, she was unable to communicate with others and some even doubted she could think for herself as we use language to think in our minds. Despite the negativity, she learnt to understand herself: how she felt, what she felt, and what she believed in. She allowed others into her life and left her isolated shell to develop and achieve unparalleled heights of success as a philosopher and, ironically, a professor of linguistics. Like the trite maxim: “a journey of a thousand miles start with the very first step”, she opened the gates to her heart and success followed. She was taught about language by touching objects and allowing them to “speak to you” as she later revealed in her biography. This example is significant because Jane climbed to the pinnacle of her achievements, but more importantly she was able to unearth her true “self” understanding. Her success is attributed to her opening up to other people and learning from senses of touch. In contrast to Willy Townsend, Jane exposed herself to other people.</p>
<p>An indisputable Reality of life is at restraint from others will hinder one’s self-development and understanding. In final analysis, other people and social engage are the sparks that will ignite the engines of self-knowledge. Therefore, it is, indeed, essential that we have other people around us.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading :-)</p>