Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life

Explore the role of civic engagement in Habits of the Heart. How do the authors argue civic participation has evolved in American society, and what implications does this have for the concept of democracy as envisioned by Alexis de Tocqueville?

Examine the portrayal of the American middle class in Habits of the Heart. How do the authors use the stories of individuals like Brian Palmer and Margaret Oldham to critique or affirm the middle class’s role in American society and its pursuit of the “American Dream”?

Analyze the concept of “social ecology” as presented in the concluding chapters of Habits of the Heart. How do the authors propose this concept as a solution to the challenges posed by extreme individualism and the fragmentation of community ties?