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English 2H; Period 2

16 November 2015
The Benefits of Nonconformity
A topic of debate has been whether or not it is beneficial to conform to societys
expectations. Conformity, or behavior that aligns with what society says is acceptable, has
existed for many years. The seemingly correct answer to this debate is that in most cases, it
is beneficial to conform. Many also may see this as the more attractive option based on that
it is easier to join the majority than stand alone. However, while it may be easier to not
stand out, changing a part of oneself in order to be accepted negatively impacts that person
because their individuality is lost.
Individuals should not conform to what society deems
acceptable by changing a part of themselves in order to achieve happiness, gain a new
perspective and learn life lessons.
Not conforming to societys expectations can lead to happiness.
In the short story,
The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury, readers are introduced to Leonard Mead, a man who
enjoys walking and light in contrast to others in his city. The text states,
To enter out into
that silence that was the city at eight oclock...that was what Mr. Leonard Mead most dearly
loved to do... he was alone in this world of A.D. 2053, or as good as alone... (1).
Mead does

not conform to the behavior of his neighbors and, as a result, is happy despite being alone.
His willingness to do what he enjoys, even though he is completely different from others,
allows Mead to find happiness in the lifeless town.
Additionally,

in the article The

Sociology of Leopard Man by Logan Feys, Feys writes,
Leopard Man- unlike so many
millions of people who are slaves to societys demands- is happy... As far as Im concerned,

if there is a paradise on Earth, Im in it... (1).

Feys states that Leopard Man, though
considered a freak by many, is happy.
His happiness comes from his choice to not conform
to societys idea of normal. Leopard Man did not change who he was just to be considered
normal and found happiness.
Leonard Mead and Leopard Mans decisions to not conform to
societys expectations led to their happiness.
Furthermore

, individuals should not conform in order to gain a new perspective on

a situation.
In the novel
To Kill A Mockingbird
, Jem demonstrates non-conformity by
refusing to leave the jail when the lynch mob arrives. The text states,
I aint going, was his
steady answer to Atticuss threats, requests... (Lee 173).
Jem, in this situation, does not
conform to the towns expectation that children should obey their parents.
Jems protests
to Atticuss demands that they go home lead to a positive outcome of the scene. Scout
innocently begins talking to Mr. Cunningham and reminds him that she is friends with his
son. Scouts speech ultimately causes Mr. Cunningham to see that the mobs intentions
were wrong and he tells the men to leave. By defying his father, Jem allowed Scout to be
able to disperse the violent mob.
Similarly,

in the play
12 Angry Men
by Reginald Rose, the
non-conformity of one character changes the perspective of others. In the beginning of the
play, the jurors take a vote before debating. The foreman says,
Nine...ten...eleven.. Thats
eleven for guilty. Okay. Not guilty? (
No. 8s hand is raised.)
One...Eleven to one, guilty (4).
Juror 8 stands alone with his vote of not guilty and does not conform to the majoritys
opinions that the boy was guilty.
In the end, his decision to not conform saved an innocent
boy from conviction because Juror 8 was able to convince the other eleven jurors of his
innocence. If Juror 8 conformed in the beginning, the jury would have had a vote much

earlier and the boy would have been voted guilty before proven innocent. His act of
nonconformity changed the perspectives of eleven other characters and saved a boys life
.
To Kill A Mockingbird
and
12 Angry Men
both demonstrate examples of how
nonconformity can change ones perspective on a situation.
Finally
, by not conforming to what society deems acceptable, one can learn a
beneficial life lesson.
In the novel
To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee, Atticus responds to
Scouts question of why he is defending Tom if the town disapproves by saying,
For a
number of reasons...The main one is, if I didnt I couldnt hold my head up in town...I
couldnt even tell you or Jem not to do something again (86).
Atticus does not conform to
societys belief that African Americans are inferior and commits to helping and defending
Tom Robinson.
While the people of Maycomb do not approve, Atticus teaches Jem and
Scout a valuable lesson; to always do the right thing. Jem and Scout mature throughout the
course of the trial and learn that while it is more difficult, not conforming to others beliefs
in order to do the right thing is the better option.

Furthermore
, the character Dee in the
short story Everyday Use by Alice Walker learns a valuable lesson from her sister. After
Mama insists the quilts will go to Maggie, Dee protests by saying,
Shed probably be
backward enough to put them to everyday use....I said. God knows I been saving em long
enough with nobody using em. I hope she will (320)!
Dees idea that the quilts should not
be used, but shown demonstrates her nonconformity to her mother and sisters way of life.
Mama wants them to be used because that was what they were made for but, Dee wants
them because they would be beautiful to hang (321).
When Maggie later says that Dee can
have the quilts because she can remember her Grandma without them (321), Maggie

teaches Dee that one should not care for something based only on its material value, but by
its sentimental value.
In these two stories, the characters are taught important life lessons
as a result of non-conformity.
Deciding not to conform to societal norms and staying true to oneself positively
impacts a persons happiness, perspective and creates an opportunity to learn from a
situation.
As demonstrated in The Pedestrian and The Sociology of Leopard Man,
Leonard Mead and Tom Leppard choose not to conform to the expectations of their
societies and are forced to deal with consequences. However, by staying true to their own
values, Leonard and Tom find happiness. In
To Kill A Mockingbird
and
12 Angry Men,
Jem
and Juror 8 do not conform, assuring that innocent men are not harmed. The perspectives
of Mr. Cunningham and the other jurors are changed and lead to Tom Robinson and the
defendants safety. In both cases, Jem and Juror 8s refusal to conform allowed other
characters to gain a more reasonable and positive perspective. Lastly, in
To Kill A
Mockingbird
and Everyday Use, Atticus and Dees nonconformity allow the opportunity
for a life lesson to be taught. Atticuss children become better individuals because Atticus
taught them to always do the right thing and Dee learns that her materialistic intentions
are wrong. Together, these characters demonstrate how nonconformity, although much
more difficult, can result in positive, unexpected outcomes.

Works Cited

Bradbury, Ray. The Pedestrian. Literature & Language Arts. Ed. John Layden and Hester
Weeden. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003, 47-51. Print.
Feys, Logan. The Sociology of Leopard Man. Rebirth of Reason. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Dec.
2012.
<
http://rebirthofreason.com/Articles/Feys/The_Sociology_of_Leopard_Man.shtml
>
Lee, Harper.
To Kill A Mockingbird
. New York: Hachette Book Group, 1960. Print.
Rose, Reginald.
Twelve Angry Men
.
A Book of Plays.
Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston,
2000. 218-256. Print.
Walker, Alice. Everyday Use. Literature & Language Arts. Ed. John Layden and Hester
Weeden. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003. 77-81. Print.