Society’s Expectations Versus Individualism The idea of individualism can seem rather abstract in our society today. People get preoccupied with how they believe others perceive them, which is in stark contrast to the idea of individualism. Take, for instance, peer pressure, which can affect not only younger children and teens but also adults. All members of a structured society will at some point be impacted by the pressures of society to be normal, and to reach the same milestones as their peers. In Edward Albee’s play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? the reader gets shown firsthand how the desire to conform, and to be normal, can drive our actions as well as our behavior. The play opens to Martha and George, coming back from a party hosted …show more content…
Society has changed a lot in the last couple of decades, though, at the time set in the play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, the stereotype was very much alive. Even today echoes of this archaic family model still exist. Being normal, and adapting to society, can often lead a person to feel a sense of belonging in the short term. However, the penalty for conforming is that the individual can be lost. Giving up your personal goals, in the pursuit of those passed down from your family can lead to a lifetime of regrets. Basing decisions on societal norms can also have devastating consequences, leading the individual to become lost in a mundane life that is not of their choosing. Martha and George created a fictional son for their private needs to take away from the failure they felt as married individuals by not being able to conceive a child. Nick and Honey started their marriage to fill their roles as future parents in the expected family dynamic. Confronting each couple is a personal failure resulting in an unrealized future. Neither couple has a desire to admit their shortcomings for fear of judgment from the other couple. The play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? displays how the desire to be normal and successful, in the eyes of our peers, impacts our life
American culture has defined the ideal dynamic for a family for many generations as one with a single, or perhaps multitude of dominant male figures, a submissive role or roles usually filled by the women in the household, and of course, children, who are deemed more acceptable if they are “seen and not heard”. Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping deconstructs and twists around what has grown to be custom in American Literature, and challenges the reader to feel uncomfortable about missing or swapped gender roles within the story itself. In Housekeeping, Ruthie and her sister Lucille have been transferred through several relatives after their mother’s death, and find themselves aching for a “normalcy” that they have never experienced, one that
The world is divided up into numerous things: Countries, states, cities, communities, etc. However, when looking at the big scope of things, one can group the vast amount of people into a society. This society is where the majority lie in the scheme of things - in other words, the common people. Individuals do exist in this society, but they are scarce in a world of conformism. Society’s standards demands an individual to conform, and if the individual refuses they are pushed down by society.
Allowing people the discovery of their true nature, ending their life of mimicry and fakery. Individuality is important and beneficial for it develops a sense of freedom which brings out the authentic self. Whether this is rebellious or not is up for debate, but this act of nonconformity can unlock new ideas and open paths for brighter futures, letting creativity flow through minds of those who have been restrained by peers and their opinions. Be different than others, express yourself through thoughts and ideas that have been hidden by conformism and do not be afraid to be a
In society, there has always been a gap between men and women. Women are generally expected to be homebodies, and seen as inferior to their husbands. The man is always correct, as he is more educated, and a woman must respect the man as they provide for the woman’s life. During the Victorian Era, women were very accommodating to fit the “house wife” stereotype. Women were to be a representation of love, purity and family; abandoning this stereotype would be seen as churlish living and a depredation of family status. Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Henry Isben’s play A Doll's House depict women in the Victorian Era who were very much menial to their husbands. Nora Helmer, the protagonist in A Doll’s House and the narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” both prove that living in complete inferiority to others is unhealthy as one must live for them self. However, attempts to obtain such desired freedom during the Victorian Era only end in complications.
The ability to be yourself humanizes and creates individuality. However, this is exactly what Big Brother does not want. Individuality can cause independent ideas, which can lead to a rebellion against the Inner Party
In “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, he promotes the importance of self reliance as an individual, and in society. Individuality to Emerson Opposed the traditional ideas of society, and to him it meant to oppose the conformity and consistency in society. He believes that the majority of people have given up their self reliance because of their fear of judgement by society. To be an individual, Emerson stresses that one has to be a risk taker, and disregard all things external.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf For this book talk, I read an Edward Albee's play, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. " I saw the movie version of this book, which I found excellent, so it inspired me to read the book. The book begins when George, who is an associate professor of a New England college, and Martha, who is the daughter of the college professor comes home after a faculty party. Although it is well after midnight and they are heavily drunk, Martha invites another couple, Nick who is a new and young professor in the college, and his wife Honey. The two couples continue drinking at the living room of George and Martha's house, and Martha starts complaining about George.
Individualism and conformity—two very commonly used terms to describe anyone in today’s times. In comparison to the article “The Sociology of Leopard Man,” written by Logan Feys, one of the most notable quotes that relates to individualism and conformity is “to be a human is to be an individual human, with individual tastes [.][and]talents [.] that are distinct from those of others. Living in society, we are under constant pressure to surrender our individuality to the will of the majority, the school, the workplace, the family,.” (Feys Par. 6.)
Individualism is considered to have many meanings, such as individual rights and freedoms, economic freedom and equality, self-interest, and can also be expressed as one’s self. The three sources depict the idea of individuals and the roles they hold in society and how it is being manipulated.
The individuality of a person consists of the qualities that make them different from others, simply stated by the Collins English Dictionary. These qualities are usually noticed on a physical basis because society emphasises on surface appearance. Because of this, individuality is lost. The pursuit of personal happiness can be diminished, just in the hope to meet the ‘norms’ around us. The idea of individuality becoming obsolete has been a common theme in literature, as authors and directors criticise the society around them. The Handmaid's Tale, written by Margaret Atwood, Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, Into the Wild, written by Jon Krakauer and a Black Mirror Episode, Nosedive, directed by Charlie Brooker are all examples of this.
Individualism is defined as many different things, but one definition of individualism became very popular in the early 19th century especially in many of the literary works of the time period: the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests. This new idea was expressed by many early American authors in their writings.
The society of today appreciates individuality but at times, it doesn't facilitate or condone it completely. As stated by Ralph Waldo Emerson "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment"
In society we make our own personal statements that make us unique. Individualism is less of a struggle to follow because it involves embracing yourself. In Self-Reliance Emerson displays his strong viewpoint on individualism and the divine spirit in all people. Emerson opens up his writing by noting that people become aware that “envy is ignorance and imitation is suicide”(Emerson). The concept of being an individual is so valuable according to Emerson that he equates it to be dead and oblivious. In society this value could be expressed by creating a unique fashion statement or voicing your own opinions. The struggle comes into play when you analyze what formed you to become this so called individual. If you have lived in society it is pretty hard to eliminate the way it has formed your own existence. The fact is your surroundings influence you as a person, so essentially your decisions are made for you. In the Devil Wears Prada, the movie, the designer makes a poignant note about the fashion industry that the pieces we wear have be crafted to fit groups in society. This is applicable to mostly all of modern society that products produced have had timed and effort to get it to its target individuals. So the struggle with modern society is not one’s ability to express themselves but how true are people to being individuals if your decisions have been made for
To be an individual one must be independent and self-reliant. Confidence and determination is important in being individual. A Psalm of Life, The Wanderer, and Self-Reliance all help clarify the significance of individuality and how even though it is frowned upon it is needed. It is difficult to be different in a society that craves conformity but it is not impossible. If you are capable of thinking your own thoughts and you should embrace and flaunt it. You are different from everyone for a reason. Find it, and run with it. Next time you are thinking about conforming, remember only dead fish go with the flow.
All in all, individuality and conformity plays a major role in society and it is up to the people to balance these two factors to maintain order. A society without a balance of these factors will only be disastrous in which it will cause individuals to think selfishly and groups to dictate over individuals. Maintaining the balance between individuality and conformity will be the key to maintaining order in society.