An infant might indeed be kept by himself in good health for many years, 

 but then grow up into an animal that is human in hardly more than form. 

 Only in the group does one find the stimulation and guidance which convert 

 him from a little animal into a person. It takes experience with others to learn. 

 language, the arts of handling food or common tools, our particular ways of 

 living. Becoming human means becoming a member of a group, with all the 

 satisfactions and helps — and all the interferences too. That is, it involves 

 getting certain benefits — taking; but it means also making adjusrinents, 

 making allowance, making concessions — giving. 



Discovering Ourselves The infant discovers himself partly in what he 

 learns to do with the objects around him. It is fun merely to handle things, 

 move things around, piling up and knocking over, tearing paper or breaking 

 sticks, throwing, scribbling, kneading dough or clay. Gradually the piles he 

 builds up or the markings he makes come to have meaning; they suggest 

 familiar objects; that is a house, that is a tree. The child discovers that he 

 can make — he is a creator! That is tremendously gratifying. The child may 

 never become an artist, a builder, a designer, an architect, a statesman. For 

 the time being, however, the act of creating satisfies his pride, his self-esteem. 

 Now he feels I do! I mallei 



Satisfactions of such an order are important throughout life. Many men 

 and women who have all they want of physical materials, housing, amuse- 

 ments, medical and other special services, yet remain always unsatisfied be- 

 cause they cannot impress themselves directly upon the material world. That 

 is why there is so much interest and value in all kinds of handicraft hobbies and 

 old-fashioned household activities. Through cooking and knitting, through 

 whittling and cabinetmaking, through gardening or furniture-repairing, one 

 may create something to show for his effort. This is especially needed, ap- 

 parently, by those whose daily work consists of details that become absorbed 

 in products which they never see themselves. One makes a particular series 

 of buttonholes, but never a completed garment. One keeps the working-time 

 in a lumber-yard, but never sees what the lumber is built into. 



The individual discovers himself further through the effects which he learns 

 to make upon others. I can scribble something and call it a tree, or a poem, 

 or a poem about a tree. But unless others recognize it about as I intend it, I 

 cannot be quite sure that my work is good, that it has value. For I must have 

 the understanding and approval of others. The friendly encouragement of 

 my parents (who like me and who may be biased) is not enough. I need 

 further the judgment of many others, who appraise my work — and me — at a 

 true worth. 



The individual, then, has to express himself by what he does to persons, as 

 well as by what he can do to things. He has to impress others, as well as assert 

 himself. He must draw to himself the regard of others. 



666 



