Professor Ahn
English 114b
Conforming Identity
Identity is one concept that is easily influential, though it can be destroyed by society. There are aspects that strengthen who we are as an individual, or weaken by conforming to society’s pressured expectations of how and who to be in life.In the novel, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, and in The Twilight zone episode “Number 12 Looks Just Like You”, identity is weakened when it comes to society’s values. In the articles “It’s a Personal Choice” by Dorris Day and “Mannequins Give Shape to a Venezuelan Fantasy” by William Neuman, both mention how woman change their appearance in order to fit into society. Individuals feel the need to be accepted by society, even if it means changing who they truly are. Today’s society has mirrored images of a conformed identity rather than …show more content…
While unrealistic expectations of who and how to be are pushed, people feel the need to conform. Thus making everyone similar rather than being different, being an individual.
Most individuals feel the need to fit in or to follow society. With the constant judgment of who and what to be in life is difficult while trying to stay true to ones self. Although there are individuals who prioritize their self- identity, there are many others who prioritize fitting into society. When compared, fitting into society is much easier than separating your self from others and staying true to ones own identity. Those who go against society and stay true to who they are tend to become isolated in a world where everyone is a mirrored image of society’s identity. In Uglies, people are not valuable because of their own ideas, but following what society wants. In the episode “Number 12 Looks Just Like You” from The Twilight Zone, the character