Animal Dreams Conformity Essay

Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Steve Jobs are some of the most influential people of all time and imposed changes that would revolutionize the world. How? They strayed from the norm and developed their own pathways by using innovative thinking in hopes of finding success, which is similar to the protagonist, Codi in the novel Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. She tackles on the project of saving her hometown by raising awareness through unconventional methods. Codi’s attitude raises the cultural question: Is conformity mandatory for advancement in personal and societal development? Many will say that conformity is necessary for achievement; however, irregular methods are far more successful. as shown in, Animal Dreams. The question regarding conformity emerges from Codi’s …show more content…
Conformity may be argued as a positive by Codi’s questionable belongingness in Grace’s society, J.T.’s line of work, and Codi’s clothing. However rebelling against societal roles is much more effective as proven by Grace’s slow progress, leadership, and communal ties. In addition, Loyd’s sharing his ancient heritage with Codi allows her to apprehend that being stationary will help one develop as human being. In the novel, Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver the cultural question: Is conformity needed for personal and societal advancement? arises because of Codi’s self-doubt, and is answered by Grace’s untouched society and established Native American traditions shared by Loyd, thus validating the fact that conformity is not essential to development. Eventually, Codi is able to break her tradition of changing for others, and finds right where she started―Grace, Arizona. Codi breaking her need to conform and inspiring change places her in the same book as Franklin, Edison, Einstein, and