This is a consumer society; in the 1950s it was already very much so.

这是一个消费者的社会，在50年代就几乎是这样了。

耶鲁公开课 - 1945年后的美国小说课程节选

So, it is from the beginning a society in which the community is a critical element, maybe the critical element, an individual who didn't live in a society could not achieve the kinds of glory and fame,and recognition that you expect from a hero.

所以,它最初是这样一个社会,在这个社会中,集体是一个关键性元素,也许是唯一的关键性元素,一个没有社会生活的个人是得不到,荣誉,名望,赏识,这些英雄们才能拥有的东西的

耶鲁公开课 - 古希腊历史简介课程节选