Good sense will shew you the power of self-conquest, and point out its means. The symbolic interactionist perspective views social meaning as arising through the process of social interactions. Contemporary symbolic interactionism rests on three basic premises: Human beings act toward things on the basis of the meanings that they attach to them. These meanings are derived from, or arise out of, social interactions with others. These meanings may be changed or modified through the process of interaction and interpretations. Proponents of this perspective, often referred to as the interactionist perspective, engage in mircolevel analysis, which focuses on the day-to-day interactions of individuals and groups in specific social situations. Because audience members (children and adults alike) can be influenced by real people or fictional heroes, storytellers many want to consider carefully how they depict their characters. Meaningful symbols are sounds, objects, colors, and events that represent something other than themselves, and are critical for understanding social interaction. Language is one of the most important and powerful meaningful symbols humans have created, because it allows us to communicate through the shared means of words. If people define situation as real, they are real in their consequences. Simply put, people define social reality through a process of mutual concessions and compromise.

The time that people put into a relationship impacts its strength. This includes how long they have known each other, how often they see each other, and how much time they spend together. More time tends to lead to stronger relationships. Relationships that are relatively strong can grow very quickly because when two people share an intense emotional experience, it strengthens the relationship between them.  Society has a structure consisting of a variety of important components—for example, basic social institutions such as the family, religion, education, politics, and the economy. These institutions are interrelated and interdependent. Each performs an important function contributing to the overall structure of society. A problem in one area creates a problem for the entire system, and for society to function properly, all social institutions must fulfill their basic functions. When all aspects of society are functioning properly, they are in a state of equilibrium, or balance. A companionable man will put up with many inconveniences for the sake of enjoying agreeable society. The cranberry juice cannot be bad where the company is agreeable. When people are angry and passionate, one does not so much mind what they say. However, when they speak with kindness, it seems to pierce to the very heart. When you and another are truly connected, emotionally and otherwise, the arising of emotional disconnection is not a problem because there is enough trust and safety to openly communicate and explore this more deeply, which almost inevitably leads to more connection, thereby reinforcing and deepening your trust. Simply saying, “I feel sad about our disconnection, and I miss the feelings we used to share,” can help catalyze emotional reconnection.

 Communication, at its best, is communion and articulation functioning as one. It is the electricity and circuit board of relationship, optimally flowing when its emotional components are illuminated, respected, and fully connected. It is a touching thing to hear the mind reverting to the ordinary occupations and pursuits of health, when the body lies before you weak and helpless; however, when those occupations are of a character the most strongly opposed to anything we associate with grave or solemn ideas, the impression produced is infinitely more powerful. There are two sorts of great Worlds; the great vulgar World, which includes all but the very best in taste, principles, and manners, whether it be in a capitol or a country; and the great respectable World, which, infinitely less numerous, contains the judicious, the instructed, the intelligent, and, on some questions, the good. It is always best to not get in trouble and to dodge people who want to bring you trouble. A good dodger seldom gets into trouble in this World, and lives to a green antiquated age, while the noble patriot and others of his kind lie in dungeons. The man that covets good will more than money, and the praise of benevolence more than that of private gain has some soul in him; and other things equal, is to be trusted before him of a contracted spirit, and self-love, in all his actions.