Every person has something to contribute to society, regardless of age, sex or culture. The measurement of a person’s worth is determined by more than simply following rules and going through the motions. Accordingly, the combined contribution to society is more than the sum of each person. However, in The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham, the people of Waknuk live a life governed by strict social norms, which limits their expression of individuality. This pervasive attitude results in a narrow-minded perspective on what it means to be human. This contributes to a regulatory state and controlling authoritative figures. The end result of this is a stagnated society, which is intolerant of the free expression of one’s individuality and ultimately limits the advancement of society. Blind acceptance of traditions and strict social conformity can lead to the …show more content…
There are many positive reasons to embrace traditions and there is a need to introduce and enforce rules for social conformity to ensure that society can function without undue chaos. However, taken to their extremes, blind acceptance of traditions and strict social conformity can lead to the persecution and destruction of fellow human beings. In part, strict allegiance to traditions and requiring social compliance in conforming to one type of thinking can result in a “cult-like” mentality. This mentality continues if there is no opportunity to allow for creative and independent thinking. The end result is a narrow-minded perspective that can hold down others who express other opinions or live in an opposing manner. In The Chrysalids, Waknuk’s society attempts to limit the community’s interaction with those who have unique
Individual loyalties greatly affect entire communities, especially in the Civil War novel, ‘The Killer Angels’. One person’s choice to do something (or not do something) will inevitably affect the lives of those around them. As French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre once said, “We are our choices.” Each choice changes dozens of things, just as each cause has many effects.
Christopher McDougall, an American author and journalist, once said, “It takes a woman to bring out the best in a man.” Even though this quote can be applied to many different situations in life, its meaning cannot be more germane than in John Wyndham’s, The Chrysalids. In the novel, Waknuk society regards women only as breeders and not as human beings. Women are powerless for they practically have no rights in their society and their sole purpose is to please their husbands and take care of their household. However, what many people in Waknuk society overlook is the importance of women in society and the key role they play in changing people’s lives.
Alex Csikasz Ms. Marshall ENG1D1-04 6 March 2017 The Chrysalids - A World Of Fear The people of Sealand may think higher of themselves, but are as judgmental and subjective as the People of Waknuk just in a different way. The fictional story “The Chrysalids” written by John Wyndham illustrates how one single mind can have the freedom to think for itself, even in an oppressed, tension run society such as Waknuk. The society of Sealand provides an example of what we can earn if we overcome our egocentric and intolerant personalities and unite ourselves instead of judge and hurt each other.
Obedience and Conformity "Without obedience to a relevant ruling authority there could not be a civil society" (Meyer 10). To have a successful nation or society, you need an authority or ruler. People don't always choose to obey or listen, but most do because they think that is what is best for them. When one chooses to go against their morals and what they believe it becomes that the government is taking advantage of them.
In the novel The Chrysalids by John Wyndham we see a society who values conformity and perfections over everything, failing to realize the imperfections they all contain. Some have hidden imperfections, which once found out are seen as mutant abilities. Others have such messed up, and horrid morals and beliefs, ones which are far from perfect. Then if you try to compare the people of Waknuk to the Sealand people you notice that they will always find imperfections in the other. This novel shows that although they may only notice visible mutations and imperfections you can find something imperfect in everyone.
Therefore, many begin to believe everything they see or hear. Moreover, this results in ignorance and dependency. When a nation has high levels of dependency, that makes it easier for the government to mandate things. For example, the COVID-19 crisis. Society turned to the government and followed everything that was mandated without questioning the logic or superiority behind the mandates.
Many centuries ago people have brought authority to the most of human activities themselves; therefore, it still controls and imposes individuals in actions and wishes. Eventually, ¬nowadays freedom has become one the most desired thing. People instinctively think that freedom is the thing that cures the world and authority is the thing that infects the world. Even though, step by step human beings are getting to be used to believe that authority is a dangerous and terrible thing. Humans return to authority even if they have the freedom, because their answer lies in comparison.
"The Giver" and "Collecting Team" are two allegorical stories that explore the consequences of conformity. Both stories provide insights into future societies where individuality and emotions are suppressed for the sake of sameness. While the societies portrayed in the stories differ in their methods of enforcing conformity, they share similar themes. In "The Giver," the society chooses to enforce conformity through strict rules and punishment.
If people cannot think of their bond to mankind, the actions of a few are at risk of harming many. Within the community, no one knows each other; they are all confined to their individual lives, with little to no concern for others. When in Rear Window the dog is killed, its owner chastises the people in the apartment
The Society of Anthem has many rules and ideals that the people have to follow, but this community is only loosely connected to the society residing today. In their society the main goal is for every person to be one “We strive to be like all our brother men, for all men must be alike”(pg.19). While in the society today the main goal is to strive to be different and to be oneself. Fountain head’s “The Soul of a Collectivist” thinks that if you “ Kill the individual. Kill man’s soul.
He argues that a successful community emerges through the equal distribution of power among its members. The overall contentment within the roadside camps
Across the world, traditions are carried throughout many communities, and when others try to change these said traditions, there is typically backfire and disagreement. In the short story “Dead Man’s Path” by Chinua Achebe, the same background is used to fuel the story’s plot. Although it is believed that keeping certain traditions alive will prevent people from changing with the times, these traditions must still be respected and appreciated for keeping past generations alive. The plot of the story follows a new headmaster of a school named Obi who has plans of implementing changes to the school.
Whereas collectivism makes work a void that gnaws constantly on the soul like a dog with an prehistoric bone, individualism makes work to be an inspiration and fuel to the burning flames of the human spirit. Roark’s work in Monadnock Valley, although meant to be a financial disaster, became a testament to the power of individualism and a guiding light to those who do not understand their place in the world that praises a group over a single entity. As the Rand states, Roark’s work “[gave] someone the courage to face a lifetime” (Rand 530). Roark’s architecture is the North star guiding those who lack selfishness and thus happiness. Or even a call to action, willing the young man and myself to fight against the corruption that is taking place on the most spiritual level and to be lights of individualism and integrity
Throughout history, society has often placed unfair restrictions on different people based on intrinsic characteristics including gender, race, and religion. Despite these restrictions, there have been prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr and Helen Keller who highlight the importance human agency. In the case of Samuel Sheldon’s Lonely Londoners and Michelle Cliff’s Abeng, human agency shares a common meaning which is the capacity for humans to act independently considering the inherent constraints society places upon them. Both authors explore this concept of human agency by scrutinizing the constraints that their characters face, most notably society’s perception of race and the irony in gender roles for Moses and Clare. Although
According to Mills, people are rarely aware of the intricate relationship between the configurations of their lives and the historical events that shape the society, mostly not many people understand the link between them and the history they are part (Thompson, Hickey, & Thompson, 2016, p. 29). In this sense, people need the quality of mind to grasp the relationship between themselves and the society, biography and past events as well as personal-self and the