Conformity VS Individualism Essay Example

presented through the lifestyles of individuals in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.”

A comparison of the two cannot be made with the intention to a level which places an individual at the position of social power. Conformity gets rid of conflicts as people define their behavior in accordance with potential rivals. To a great extent, in a literal context, conformity is considered to be the saving grace for captain Montag’s community. In many ways, Montag has conformed to the society ethical standards and visualized the opinions of a majority as his own. As the story begins the popular character (Montag) does his best to live in accordance with the beliefs of a new American world. He avoids books to search extent that his career purpose is corrupted. The character adopts an ironical role; he is a firefighter but ends up starting fires and incinerating reading materials. As such some sense of paradox is revealed and the argument that he lives the moment within the context of conformity and individualism simultaneously. According to Hollings (22), conformity and individualism are very important conflicts in America.

Human rights dictate that all individuals should be allowed equal rights and granted the privileges that they deserve; however, this is not the case as conformity is rewarded and individualism punished in Montag’s world. The moment can be considered to reveal conformity in that the actions intend to bring to light a common lifestyle for all relevant persons as much as individualism may be a proper judgment. For a firefighter to begin fire with whichever intention, he must be different from the common member of a fire brigade team. Therefore, Montag’s acts of beginning fires separating

from the ordinary firefighters and presenting as his person. In the events and activities concerning Montag’s life, it’s revealed that conformity and individualism are in so many ways similar to hate and love from a literal platform, one must understand the meaning of it to appreciate the love. Similarly to understand the meaning of conformity familiarity with a concept of individualism is necessary. These concepts are different yet predominantly dependent on each other. To understand individualism, it is important to appreciate that conformity would consider living opinion and appreciating similarity.

The communities’ opinion that books are a negative influence and a barrier to social development affects reasoning and literal development. Authors determine to embark on a new trend where the inspiration of literature is not freedom and liberty but rather involves conformity. They try to live in harmony with the opinion of the majority. Such conformity is observed for a limited amount of time. Montag’s family has lived for a substantial and length of time and continually observe advisement from public as relevant, and his wife is continuous to detest the works of authors. The situation is continuous to revolve while Montag’s wife remains steadfast on her principle that reading and writing are two matters of least importance.

Matters at hand escalate to such extremes that the community decides to burn the books as a way of forcing people to conform to their liking that people refrain from reading. The policies put in place ensure that much engagement in community demands identification with ethics and popular lifestyle. The members of the community do not consider books valuable. They do as much to reveal their opinions through the

alienation of novel enthusiast. Montag’s wife is an ambassador of such opinions and achieves much but fails to influence Montag into living his newly founded tradition. In the struggle of fighting for conformity or individualism (depending on individual beliefs), disturbing events begin to emerge. A suicide attempt is observed and equally, reveals the extent of psychological corruption and brainwashing attributed to conformity.

At this stage of development, the novel is more about individualism. Montag refuses to return to his old habit of burning books and finds solace in; he does much to ensure that he gains access to numerous books in pursuit of wisdom and psychological wisdom. Clarisse McClellan’s misfortune is the inspiration of Montag’s behavior change. According to Seed (497), all the things that Montag has lost and must rediscover are embodied in Clarisse McClellan. Her mental and otherwise independence should be embraced and advocated for in Montag’s life. The aspect of individualism emerges a second time as characters embark on a project that was considered by society to be taboo. Montag makes a decision to go against his society’s trends and hopes to print books mischievously. What’s more, he has an agenda to plant books in the homes of firemen with the intention of mocking them. The novel presents an interesting chain of events revealing constant review of individual character that hazes some link to the society’s ethical standards and trends.

The popular events of individualism from Montag are inspired by an emergence of unpredictable events and the forging of rebellion with an English professor. It is notable that Montag is rigid and focused on a specific group of agenda during the phases of life

that he passes. The instances of conformity also reveal a strong sense of character. The individual’s acts of conformity are depictions of vigor as much as the events of individualism. The conflict between conformity and individualism is displayed through the characters and the struggle to fit in the contextual society. The society has a defined lifestyle and an enforcement structure but the two do not work in a flexible manner as a minute expression of interest in contrary factors is interpreted as rebellion and viewed as being odd. For instance, Faber’s intention to assist Montag with his reading activities is risky and one that inspires consequences. In an instance where such a minor act is a crime, it is revealed that conformity demands for the members of society to be rigid. Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” presents conformity as requiring that society adapts sophisticated technology and desist from previously conventional forms of entertainment such as reading. According to Bradbury (21), there was so much technology that there is a mechanical dog at the fire station. It is also notable that Mildred is a practical example of a conformist in the manner in which she easily leaves her husband when the couple disguised lifestyle is discovered. Mildred had her suitcase ready and feared to defend reading. She leaves her husband and rejoins the “modern lifestyle.”

In conclusion, conformity and individualism are presented through the lifestyle choices of individuals. Some people choose to live as prescribed by popular culture while others choose a flexible approach and hope to redefine their lives. Both approaches to social interaction have their down sides and up sides as evident in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit

451.”

Work cited

1. Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012. Print.
2. Hollins, Etta R. Culture In School Learning. Routledge, 2015. Print.
3. Seed, David. A Companion To Science Fiction Volume 33 Of Blackwell Companions To Literature And Culture. John Wiley & Sons, 2008. Print.