Question

What does the term “plastic” most likely mean as used in paragraph 2 of "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson?

Answer 1

Answer:

C. something that can be molded or shaped

Explanation:

Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" mostly deals with individualism and the relationship of a non-conformist individual to the society that forces an individual to conform.

Basically, whene Emerson states that "society isn't the measure of all things" he suggests that people should follow their inner voice, follow their heart and instincts, rather than do what society expects them to do, depriving themselves of every spontaneity.

In paragraph 2, he states that people should be "...pious aspirants to be

noble clay plastic under the Almighty effort...".

That basically means that every man should mold their own life from the clay that was given to him and not merely take a shape of whatever society wants him to take, refusing his individuality by doing so.