The article talks about American individualism and how there are actually contradictions within it. While Americans have a stronger sense of individualism than other Western countries, however in the face of group interests, Americans are actually less likely to be individualistic. When looking at poverty, Americans see it as a personal trait that should not call for government intervention. In the case of extramarital affairs, a higher number of Americans thought it to be unjustifiable as it interrupts the family structure. Additionally, Americans demonstrate more community dependence through having more friendships and have higher marriage rates.  

Rather than strict individualism that the world perceives of Americans, Fischer suggests that it is more voluntarism than individualism. Individualism comes in in terms of choosing to be a part of a group. However, once joined, one owes their loyalty, switching to a more community centered function. The examples given include, choosing to work for an employer means choosing the bosses orders, but the employee is free to leave at any point. With marriage, one is free to enter or leave a partnership, but while in the relationship, loyalty is expected of each party. 

Walt Whitman’s poem refers to those who reap the benefits of America. He refers to those who are seen as equals, but he neglects the people who face injustices daily. People who are not white men don’t get to experience the same liberties that he describes in the poem. The “American Dream” that is being portrayed in the poem points to the individualistic beliefs of Americans: that all the opportunities are provided and not succeeding is a personal fault. Hughes’ poem on the other hand, reveals the more menacing side of American society: the selfishness and the greed that profits off of others. In Hughes’ poem, there’s no freedom to enter and leave certain groups because of the way America is as a system. Voluntarism suggests that there is always the freedom to come and go.