Societies' Destructive Behavior around ‘Normal’

One’s individuality and freedom are questioned when it does not conform to society’s ideals. This is often demonstrated in real life, as well as in popular literary pieces.

It is only we, Equality 7-2521, we alone, who were born with a curse. For we are not like our brothers.”(18) The character Equality struggles with feelings of isolation and self-doubt, despite being surrounded by his peers. This mirrors a prevalent issue in modern society where many individuals feel undervalued or inferior compared to their classmates, friends, or colleagues due to their unique qualities and interests. Despite the fact that modern-day society is predominantly individualistic, there remains an issue of people being judged and discriminated against based on their differences.

People are like snowflakes: each one is different. Every individual has their own qualities that distinguish them from others. Anthem by Ayn Rand features a collectivist community where citizens are obligated to suppress individuality and conform to a homogeneous way of life. This society in which Equality 7-2521 lives in regards the best in him as sinful because they do not think people should be unique in any way. In a similar way, the society in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut tries to promote uniformity both physically and mentally by forcing their citizens to wear handicaps. Both authors show examples of how extreme equality can be detrimental to a society.

Humans want to be like other humans. Likeness breeds security, and with this, people will go to great lengths to conform to their peers. This concept dictates a large part of everyone’s daily lives in the society built around them, as demonstrated very clearly by Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible; a story of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. In this case, because people conformed to what people around them were saying and doing--accusing people of witchcraft and executing them--twenty two lives were lost. After considering how the events of The Crucible portray conformity and the place in society conformity occupies, it becomes quite clear that conformity, while it has it virtues, can result in many societal issues that can be easily

Today’s society has changed immensely over the years. Now it is okay to be who you truly are and to not be judged by society. But years ago, unique people were judged and put down by society: such as in the story “Antaeus”. The character T.J. is different from his town, but becomes accepted by his friends, but unfortunately not by adults, who put him down. In the short story “Antaeus” by Borden Deal, the character T.J. is a representation of man, who is unique from the rest of his town’s society, which sparks purpose in friends, but they ultimately fail at the hands of authority figures.

   Though William Shakespeare accurately portrays both Christianity and Judaism in his play The Merchant of Venice, the characters in the play do not represent their religions well. A reader unfamiliar with these religions could easily misinterpret flaws in a character's nature as the teachings of his religion. After a preliminary glance at the play, one would assume that Shakespeare wrote unjustly of the two religions depicted therein. However, Shakespeare had to write the play to please his audience, so he added a twist. By making characters not wholly perfect in their faith, in compliance with reality, Shakespeare was able to add the insults and bigotry and anti-Semitic feelings

“If you hang out with chickens, you’re going to cluck and if you hang out with eagles, you’re going to fly.” –Dr. Steve Maraboli

Such “faults” (205) in society are depicted today; the ways people dress to the acceptable grades in school show how everyone tries to be conform. As good as being normal sounds, it is not always the right choice. For some of us, normal may never come. Sometimes acceptance is the only change needed. With acceptance, “[a] stupid man [can be] the equal of an einstein”(205). It would be so much easier and less problems, like meaningless grudges, would arise. Instead of rejecting difference, accept and appreciate what makes each and everyone of us so

Stereotypes for every different religion, ethnicity, culture, and gender exist among the minds of the human race. These typecasts have ruled this world for as long as there has been diversity among people. In Shakespeare’s comedic tragedy, The Merchant of Venice, one prejudice is very central to the theme. The play is dominantly set in Venice, one of the most liberal cities of the Renaissance era. In this place and time period, anti-Semitism is very much in force. The Jewish people are discriminated against and treated terribly by the Christians living in Venice. Shylock, a wealthy Jew, is mercilessly spurned many times by men like Antonio, a Venetian merchant. In contrast to this blind hatred is the longing and lust associated with

Unambiguously Catholic but famed for its “liberty”, it sheltered believer and unbeliever, atheist and zealot, the hesitant and the convinced…. It was often in Venice that Europeans of Jewish blood made their final choice between Christianity and Judaism; those who hesitated and faced both ways, neither conforming fully nor vowing themselves permanently to either creed, were most likely to suffer at the Inquisition’s hands.”

Despite the fact that we like to think we have a free choice in our individuality, normalcy is forced through the constant pressure from society around us. In conforming, we receive advantages such as jobs, money, affection, all of which originate from conforming to the normalities of our society. In conforming, we try to satisfy others but not ourselves in fear of rejection. In our desperate attempts to please others, we often lose a part of ourselves in the process. Being deemed normal in society is a major part of everyone 's lives and the abnormal are usually excluded from the public eye. In this paper I will prove how the forced sense of normalcy is ingrained into our minds even if we believe that we are free.

Why does society push to be normal? Humans get hurt and they say if I was normal this wouldn’t happen; but there is no such thing as normal, because everyone is different. The main idea of Saleem on TED Talk is that it is ok not to be normal because no one is. I agree with Saleem because God created everyone to be unique. The evidence is that Blue was not a normal color for ancient Greek, Salem’s accent in his work, and kids’ books where the characters are white. To continue this essay, I will transition into the first piece of evidence which is about blue in ancient Greek life.

Religion was a major factor in a number of Shakespeare’s plays. Religion motivated action and reasoning. In Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” religion was more than a belief in a higher being; it reflected moral standards and ways of living. In the “Merchant of Venice,” “a Christian ethic of generosity, love, and risk-taking friendship is set in pointed contrast with a non-Christian ethic that is seen, from a Christian point of view, as grudging, resentful, and self-calculating.” (Bevington, pg. 74) Although Shakespeare writes this drama from a Christian point of view he illustrates religion by conflicts of the Old Testament and the New Testament in Venetian society and its court of law. These Testaments are tested through the

The Enmity between Christians and Jews is first revealed in this passage by Shylock’s tetchy, sarcastic reply to Bassanio. Bassanio politely invites Shlock to dinner and Shylock replies sarcastically saying, “Yes, to smell pork…” He further separates himself from Bassanio by referring to, “…your prophet, the Nazarite.” Also, in an irritated way, he lists the things he is prepared to do with Christians, and the things he in not prepared to do. In this passage, “I will buy with you…nor sell with you”, Shylock repeats the word ‘YOU’ Eight times, making it sound like an accusation, not only against Bassanio, but all Christians, for wronging

The sociocultural model suggests that abnormal behavior is the result of broad forces influencing an individual (Comer, 2015). By using this approach, the therapist is equipped to help Sara understand her irrational thoughts, atypical behaviors, and overall degree of abnormal functioning. Whilst, emphasizing the family-social and multicultural perspectives; a main tenet in facilitating individual experiences in sociocultural therapy. Taking into account, Sara’s traditional Japanese customs and values, coupled with cultural sensitivities and the norm within her respective society (Comer, 2015). Thus, in understanding Sara, the therapist should first focus on her awareness of familial hardships or stress since moving to the United States, helping Sara to identify and express any degree of unhappiness or discomfort.