I am having trouble understanding this.

Question

From the winter of 1821, . . . I had what might
truly be called an object in life; to be a reformer of
the world. My conception of my own happiness was
entirely identified with this object. The personal
sympathies I wished for were those of fellow labourers (5)
in this enterprise

What personal sympathies is the author talking about?? Like does he want tolerance from those that disagreed with him? Or does he want fellowship from people who think like him?

Answer 1

He wants his fellow laborers to think as he thinks.

Answer 2

From the winter of 1821, . . . I had what might truly be called an object [an aim, a goal] in life; to be a reformer of the world. My conception [idea, concept] of my own happiness was entirely identified with this object [an aim, a goal]. The personal sympathies I wished for were those of fellow labourers (5) in this enterprise. [the things I wanted were the same things my fellow workers wanted]

Answer 3

wait im kind of confused.. He wants his fellow laborers to think as he thinks or his fellow laborers wanted what he wanted already?

Answer 4

"No!" At
this my heart sank within me: the whole foundation on
which my life was constructed fell down. All my happi- (35)
ness was to have been found in the continual pursuit of
this end. The end had ceased to charm, and how could
there ever again be any interest in the means? I seemed
to have nothing left to live for.

So this guy is going through depression and he is also a reformer. In this paragraph by "means" he means his attempts to change institutions or his decision to become a reformer??

Answer 5

I think "depression" might be too strong a word, but yes, he was dismayed that everything he had been working for seemed to be collapsing.

Answer 6

okay thanks!