Solitude is un-American.

Erica Jong offers a bold statement in saying, "Solitude is un-American." This declaration speaks not only to the cultural ethos of America but also to the nature of community and individualism that defines this nation. To the American mind, independence, action, and connection are revered ideals, often associated with the idea that strength is found in union and collaboration, rather than isolation. In a culture that prizes progress, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, solitude can feel like anathema—a retreat from the energy and community that the American identity is built upon.

The roots of American culture lie deeply in the idea of the frontier spirit—a spirit that celebrates action and the constant striving toward greater goals. The pioneers who moved westward, carving lives out of the wilderness, were driven by the need to survive, to build, and to belong to something greater than themselves. In such a context, solitude was seen as dangerous, a condition to be avoided rather than embraced. To be alone in the wilderness, isolated from the community, was to risk both survival and one's own sanity. Thus, the collective identity of the American people became one built on community, shared struggle, and the desire to conquer the challenges of the world together.

The founding fathers of America themselves were men of action and collaboration, gathering together to establish a new nation in a spirit of unity and common purpose. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin did not seek solitude in their pursuits. Rather, they sought collective wisdom, believing that the ideals of freedom and democracy could only be achieved through the unification of people with a common vision. For them, solitude was unproductive, even suspicious. It was in the gathering of minds that the nation was shaped, in the public discourse that ideas were refined, and in the action of the people that the nation's promise was realized.

Even in more recent history, the idea that solitude is un-American continues to manifest. Consider the American Dream, a cultural force that emphasizes achievement through hard work and the desire to belong to something greater than oneself. To step away from this drive, to be alone, is to risk falling short of the dream's promise. Solitude in such a context feels antithetical to the collective striving toward prosperity, fulfillment, and connection. Isolation is often seen as a failure to fully participate in the societal contract, a rejection of the ideals of community that sustain a thriving nation.

However, to dismiss solitude entirely is to misunderstand its deeper value. Throughout history, there have been those who, in their solitude, found clarity, strength, and wisdom that ultimately benefited the broader community. Henry David Thoreau, the American transcendentalist, retreated to the shores of Walden Pond not out of a rejection of society, but to reconnect with a deeper truth and to find an authentic life beyond the noise of daily living. His time alone allowed him to reflect on the nature of freedom and self-reliance, which would go on to influence generations of Americans in their pursuit of a more profound existence. Thoreau’s solitude was not un-American, but rather a reflection of the deepest ideals of personal liberty and individual expression that are at the heart of American identity.

The lesson here is profound: solitude is not inherently un-American but is an essential part of personal growth and the cultivation of wisdom. While America’s strength lies in community, collaboration, and the pursuit of shared goals, it is also in the moments of solitude that true clarity and purpose can be found. To disconnect, even momentarily, from the frenzy of action and connection is to give oneself the space to reflect, to dream, and to discover the deepest truths about one's own identity and the world around them.

Therefore, I urge you, dear reader, to seek balance in your life. Embrace the power of community and action, but also honor the time for solitude. Allow yourself moments of quiet reflection, where you can step away from the noise and reconnect with your own thoughts and passions. Solitude does not mean abandonment; it is in solitude that the soul is nourished, that clarity is found, and that strength for future action is built. Only by understanding the true value of both community and solitude can we live fully, as individuals and as members of a greater whole.