The Importance Of Individuality In Literature

American writer Rita Mae Brown once declared that, “-the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself”. When someone follows others and abides to the rule and standards they will likely be accepted. They however, will not accept themselves due to the lack of individuality they possess. The strive for originality can be seen in many pieces of literature, both nonfiction and fiction, such as Anthem by Ayn Rand, “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury, and the essay “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Those who are individuals and rely only on themselves are crucial to society because of emotions, leadership, and creativity. To begin with, individuals are important in society so that others can express their emotions. In the

Near the end of the novel, Anthem, the protagonist discovers the concept of “I” and says, “ I shall call to me all the men and the women whose spirit has not been killed within them and suffer under the yoke of their brothers”(Rand 101). Society is in need of individuals who know what is right, who show others to free and self thinking. Without the right leaders society can potentially be that of Anthem’s where everyone has no free will. This demonstrates how leadership is necessary in society in order for it’s citizens to be led properly. Finally, individualism is needed in society since it gives people the chance to be creative. In the essay “Self-Reliance” Emerson explains how great minds were initially misconceived, “ Is it bad to be misunderstood? Pythagoras, was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton-”(Emerson 2). Those who are original can excel and accomplish numerous achievements. These individuals can contribute to society with new ideas and even inventions. This would not be the case if everyone was a conformist. Yet again it is shown why individuals are significant in any