Read the excerpt below and answer the question.

in every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. great works of art have no more affecting lesson for us than this. they teach us to abide by our spontaneous impression with good-humored inflexibility then most when the whole cry of voices is on the other side. else, to-morrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another.

in "self-reliance," emerson further develops the idea presented in this excerpt by explaining how imitation is

a form of religion
a source of peacefulness
the lack of trust in oneself
the appreciation of the classics

the lack of trust in oneself.

In this excerpt, Emerson highlights the importance of believing in one's own good sense and opinion. Otherwise, he argues, we often end up learning from a work of art what we already knew was true. This is an idea that is present in "Self-Reliance." In it, Emerson argues that the individual should try to avoid conformity, and instead, follow his own instincts and ideas. Imitation is often a lack of trust in oneself, and never creates geniuses.

C). Lack of trust in oneself.

Explanation:

'Self-reliance' is one of the most acknowledged essays of the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson where he pinpoints the nasty impacts of tactful society on individual growth. He argues as the title suggests that an individual must have the liberty to be 'self-reliable' and explore one's actual self.

As per the question, in "Self-reliance"; Emerson develops the idea displayed in the excerpt by elaborating the manner in which 'imitation'(of society and its beliefs) leads to 'rejection of one's own thoughts' and leaves us 'alienated'. This imitation builds the 'lack of trust in an individual' and ultimately suppresses his/her personal growth. Thus, option C is the correct answer.