The Problems of Individuallity and Conformity Within a Society

America is a country where people come to be free from persecution and express their thoughts and opinions. This founding principle led American society to pull away from conformity and pushes for individuality. Many family TV shows and several media outlets propagate individuality as a source of pride and evidence of personal growth. In the American society, children are taught at a young age that individuality creates personality. However, as an individual grows, they are forced to choice sides on issues, thus placing them in a position where they must choose to either conform or rebel within their given society. While conformity in the American society plays a structural role by promoting individuality and stimulating growth, and is thus an accepted feeling, it should be limited because it leads our society to become controlled and thoughtless, which goes against Americans core believes. Individuality and conformity are contrary forces that allow the growth and prosperity of the American society, interrelating, and giving rise to each other.

American citizens have created a society that influences citizens to choose sides on issues, which then creates the need to conform or to rebel in society. This can lead to citizens struggling to choose a side in society, or have an internal debate between what is right and what is wrong. George Orwell suffers through an internal debate, as he struggles between whether he should kill the elephant or not. He exemplifies a problem in society that citizens can be influenced towards a side. He says, “The people expected it of me and I had got to do it” (Orwell). In American society, citizens are being influences through different forms of propaganda in media about various topics. This fuels th...

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... the conformity in the background, thus allowing the synchronizations of these dualities that lead to the growth of our society.

Works Cited

The Crucible. Screenplay by Arthur Miller. Dir. Nicholas Hytner. Perf. Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, and Paul Scofield. Twentieth Century Fox. 1996. Film.

Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” A. P. English Language and Composition. Distr. Mike Ried. Helix Charter High School, La Mesa. 26 Feb. 2014. Handout.

Orwell, George. “Shooting an Elephant.” A. P. English Language and Composition. Distr. Mike Ried. Helix Charter High School, La Mesa. 26 Feb. 2014. Handout.

Thoreau, Henry. “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience.” A. P. English Language and Composition. Distr. Mike Ried. Helix Charter High School, La Mesa. 26 Feb. 2014. Handout.

Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: A Bantam Book, 1884. Print.