I found this book to be a very challenging read, but very gratifying as well. This chapter in particular really drives home the point that the essence of ourselves is not solely something internal, but it is made up of the social constructions we live and communicate in. I feel we learn more about ourselves through our communication and interactions with others much like Mead and Bakhtin illustrate: "in these interrelationships that we come to identify our self through the image of some of the selves around us" (p.188).
I enjoyed how this book took into consideration many of the different philosophies and ideologies regarding the self. It presents a clear picture of many different perspectives on the self, and how we learn to find "the self". I also like the idea that it is possible to be both a social being as well as an individual. The balance between these two conflicting identities can be hard to manage at times, but as we mature we learn to find a balance, and ultimately find ourselves.
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