The Promise by C. Wright-Mills

Markayia Meyer

TR 11-12:15

“The Promise” by C. Wright-Mills

C. Wright-Mills talks about how men often have a sense of entrapment within their private lives and the more aware they become, the more trapped they may feel. The feeling of being trapped is interlinked with troubles they may face due to a lack of coping with personal troubles because they do not possess the will to comprehend the difference between their biography and their histories. The problem is that histories affect all of mankind today; there is no ancient way of life, just “vague expectations that have become demands.” Men’s histories are dissipating…they’re unable to orient themselves with values that are cherished. Modern values don’t align with the older ways of thinking/feeling; it’s no wonder that men are unable to cope with their troubles and have that sense of entrapment. They need an understanding of what is going on in the world today and what may be happening to themselves. It’s a certain quality of mind, C. Wright-Mills calls, the Sociological Imagination.

The Sociological Imagination “enables its possessor to understand the lager historical scene in terms of its meaning for the inner life and the external career of a variety of individuals;” in short, the ability to see the connection and interaction between biography, a person’s story, and history, a society’s story. To deal with things in life, you must be aware of what’s going on around you. Those who are conscious of their surroundings ask three questions: “1. What is the structure of this society as a whole? 2. Where does this society stand in human history? And 3. What varieties of men and women now prevail in this society and in this period?” These are essential questions to ask when trying to see connections between biography and history.

Biography more so refers to the troubles that occur within an individual and his relations with others. “They have to do with his self and the limited areas of social life which he is personally aware of.” Histories more refer to the issues that “have to do with matters transcending local environments of individuals and the rand of their inner life.” These two tie into set values that are cherished by others in society. People who prize those set values and feel they have no threat toward them experience “well-being” whereas those who prize the values and feel they are threatened experience a “crisis.” Those who are unaware of these values and have no threat toward them experience “indifference” where those who are unaware of the values but know there is a threat experience “uneasiness.”

Two strengths within the article would be the three questions and how our personal troubles become public issues. Starting with the three questions, once you ask yourself these questions, you’ll