Conformity vs. Individuality
An Interpretation of Colin Wilson’s Quote Colin Wilson is one of few people who can take a step back from their lives and the world around them and see the bigger picture. Wilson’s quote; “The average man is a conformist, accepting miseries and disasters with the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain,” is a perfect example of this. It is true that most people in the world are followers of whatever they see happening around them. Unfortunately, few are able to recognize their willingness to follow the “norm,” and consequently are stuck in a conformist lifestyle throughout their entire life. However, there are also the men and women who choose to be conformists, fully aware of what they are doing. Someone who chooses conformity is most likely …show more content…
Whether it has been followed so long that it is trained into the mind, or conformity is just the easier decision, many adults stick to a conformist routine in life. Once someone grows older and begins accepting more responsibilities in their life, they seem to adopt a personality of accepting whatever comes at them. Whether it be suffering through a job they don’t enjoy, a marriage, or accepting discrimination from others, people learn to take trouble in stride and ignore it, to some extent. They act like cows in the rain; not troubled by any storm or disaster, just standing stoically. Sometimes it is seen as easier to accept what’s happening and not take a stand of individuality against certain situations. Colin Wilson’s quote puts the action of being a conformist in a bad light, to some extent. He describes conformity to an animal, which is not an ideal situation to be compared to. Wilson was most likely trying to persuade the average man or woman into becoming more of an individual and making his/her own
An Interpretation of Colin Wilson’s Quote Colin Wilson is one of few people who can take a step back from their lives and the world around them and see the bigger picture. Wilson’s quote; “The average man is a conformist, accepting miseries and disasters with the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain,” is a perfect example of this. It is true that most people in the world are followers of whatever they see happening around them. Unfortunately, few are able to recognize their willingness to follow the “norm,” and consequently are stuck in a conformist lifestyle throughout their entire life. However, there are also the men and women who choose to be conformists, fully aware of what they are doing. Someone who chooses conformity is most likely …show more content…
Whether it has been followed so long that it is trained into the mind, or conformity is just the easier decision, many adults stick to a conformist routine in life. Once someone grows older and begins accepting more responsibilities in their life, they seem to adopt a personality of accepting whatever comes at them. Whether it be suffering through a job they don’t enjoy, a marriage, or accepting discrimination from others, people learn to take trouble in stride and ignore it, to some extent. They act like cows in the rain; not troubled by any storm or disaster, just standing stoically. Sometimes it is seen as easier to accept what’s happening and not take a stand of individuality against certain situations. Colin Wilson’s quote puts the action of being a conformist in a bad light, to some extent. He describes conformity to an animal, which is not an ideal situation to be compared to. Wilson was most likely trying to persuade the average man or woman into becoming more of an individual and making his/her own