The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers are both displayed as rites of passage texts. The texts are overtly didactic and both composers’ present the notion of non-conformity. Salinger and Steers express how individuals are pressured to conform to society’s values and beliefs. The two protagonists are anti –heroes and demonstrate non-conformity; they rebel against the apparent hypocrisy present in their respective societies.
The society portrayed in the novel, the chrysalids, and the film Gattaca, is judgemental and prejudice. The result in both cases is the same pain, suffering, and mistreatment of those who are different. In both the chrysalids and Gattoca, the community that is illustrated seem to have their own “true image”, and for many reasons are narrow minded to the people that are distinctive. Members of the society will go through anything to hide their “differences”, wither it’s to be in hiding or to be someone else. The movie Gattoca, relates to the novel in ways that are outlined in following statements.
For a society to thrive, it is crucial for its people to recognise and abide by its rules, both the written and unspoken. Albert Camus picks at this common knowledge in his novella ‘The Outsider’ when he uses character Meursault to challenge readers with the influence of absurdism. Put simply, Meursault is an absurdist not guided by morality, but rather by his own integrity. His perverse acts, most of which leave many aghast, are acts which are considerably unacceptable or punishable in society; the lack of grief in his mother’s death, the inability to assess his own feelings towards the woman he “doesn’t mind” marrying, and even killing an Arab which he had very feeble personal association with. But during the prosecution, rather than looking at why Meursault murdered the Arab, he is being trialled for not meeting society’s expectations when he refuses to answer moderately when asked why he committed the crime.
Huckleberry is a rough, truly uncivilized boy. He rebels against the restraints of civilization-artificial, middle-class society-- and its delusions, represented by cramped clothing and religion. Huck's complete sincerity, which leads to his dislike for hypocritical civilization, is his defining quality. Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, meanwhile, are the representatives of the society Huck rejects. Twain develops Huck's character by the choices Huck makes as the novel progresses.
“Conformity ensures an individual’s relationship with the institution… rebellion inevitably complicates it”. The enigmatic and elusive nature of the institution is designed to suppress individuality and encourage conformity, due to the inherent tension present between the inflexible institution and the individual. The harmonious or orderly functioning of society is dependent upon the cooperation of all the parts that seek to have certain needs and requirements met. This social contract entails the reduction in individual freedom in return for the provision of individual needs, such as security. Through an exploration of the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest, Ken Kesey’s authorial intention give the responder an insight into the individual’s
In the brilliant artwork by George Warner Allen, it is made evident that individuals share an inherent need / desire to belong. The use of symbolism is evident through the representation of the subject’s subconscious, which is made clear through the fact that this persona has un-human like features and wears no clothes. The fact that the subject and his subconscious are, in distance, very close together however do not take notice of each other at all, is suggestive of an internal debate/conflict. This sparked debate is based upon the preconceived idea that the subconscious is longing to belong so much so that he is ready to take action in trying to fulfil this inherent need dwelling from within him. Whereas the man asleep on the ground chooses
The Island uses both visual and literary technique to develop the themes in a disturbing, yet compelling short story. The Island is a metaphorical account on the way in which prejudice and fear are used to defy acceptance of others in order to ‘protect’ themselves. The man who arrives is alienated in accordance with this. The pictures demonstrate the differences in the two cultures’ homogeneity; the
Empowerment of the individual may be either beneficial to society or threatening. How have your studied texts shaped your understanding of individuality and its place with the broader social discourse? The refusal of the individual to yield to the repressive values imposed on them by authority characterizes the insignificance of individuality within the broader social discourse. While the figure representative of authority refuses to ethically uphold its obligations of maintaining order, the individual renounces authority’s power and in doing so rejects their attempts to subdue individual freedom. Such is evident in the actions of messianic protagonist, McMurphy in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”.
It is inseparable from our image of Holden, with good reason: it is a symbol of his uniqueness and individuality. The hat is outlandish, and it shows that Holden desires to be different from everyone around him. At the same time, he is very self-conscious about the hat—he always mentions when he is wearing it, and he often doesn’t wear it if he is going to be around people he knows. The presence of the hat, therefore, mirrors the central conflict in the book: Holden’s need for isolation versus his need for companionship. These two texts explore adolescent’s struggles to belong, in the simple gift we see a boy who knows he does not belong and chooses to not fight the way his life has turned out.
Conformity corrupts the individual due to societal constraints and scorn. Moreover, conforming to social institutions such as communities of opinion or religions, which offer knowledge as a gift or second hand beliefs, saps the individual the energy required to create new knowledge. As we passively accept other people's ideas, we lose our manhood becoming phantoms, Emerson writes, “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist”. Furthermore, when Emily Dickinson in her poem “This world is not conclusion” states that “... much gesture from the pulpit – strong hallelujahs roll- narcotics cannot still the tooth- that nibbles at the soul”, she asserts that established knowledge claimed by religion works as narcotics which help to silence but, nonetheless, it can not stop our need to solve the