Examining Individuality in Literature and Films
Alex Grey once said: “In a society that tries to standardize thinking, individuality is not highly prized.” Over the years, this has progressively become clearer as the pressure to conform to society continues to create trouble and anxiety to any who attempt to be true to themselves and to those who are forced to hide behind a front. The Taming of the Shrew and Singin’ in the Rain both examine how the roles that society places us in makes it difficult to embrace our own individuality and differences as people. Despite being in different situations and time periods, both Katherine Minola and Don Lockwood felt the effects of society’s expectations of conformation in their daily lives, but, with …show more content…
In The Taming of the Shrew, Katherine’s expectations are shown in this line: “This disrespectful stance toward the man who is your lord, your king, your governor tarnishes your beauty the way the frosts of winter blights the land” (5.2.146-148). This quote reminds the reader that in Katherine’s time, the husband was to be viewed as the lord over the household. This expectation of obedient submission, along with Katherine’s rocky familial relationships, caused her to rebel against conforming to such a mindset, leading to further hate and contempt thrown her way. On the other hand, when Don first meets Kathy Seldon, they clash headfirst, especially when she claims that movie stars: “don't talk, they don't act, they just make a lot of dumb show" (___). Don later realizes that he’s lost most of his real personality by conforming to society so that he can fit into his role as a movie star, such as with a famous girlfriend, countless repetitive movies, luxurious parties, etc. Katherine and Don both dealt with the pressure of society’s strong expectations in different ways, causing them to lose touch with themselves in the midst of other people’s opinions and ideas. Consequently, society in our time period can easily influence us to submit to it’s heavy
Alex Grey once said: “In a society that tries to standardize thinking, individuality is not highly prized.” Over the years, this has progressively become clearer as the pressure to conform to society continues to create trouble and anxiety to any who attempt to be true to themselves and to those who are forced to hide behind a front. The Taming of the Shrew and Singin’ in the Rain both examine how the roles that society places us in makes it difficult to embrace our own individuality and differences as people. Despite being in different situations and time periods, both Katherine Minola and Don Lockwood felt the effects of society’s expectations of conformation in their daily lives, but, with …show more content…
In The Taming of the Shrew, Katherine’s expectations are shown in this line: “This disrespectful stance toward the man who is your lord, your king, your governor tarnishes your beauty the way the frosts of winter blights the land” (5.2.146-148). This quote reminds the reader that in Katherine’s time, the husband was to be viewed as the lord over the household. This expectation of obedient submission, along with Katherine’s rocky familial relationships, caused her to rebel against conforming to such a mindset, leading to further hate and contempt thrown her way. On the other hand, when Don first meets Kathy Seldon, they clash headfirst, especially when she claims that movie stars: “don't talk, they don't act, they just make a lot of dumb show" (___). Don later realizes that he’s lost most of his real personality by conforming to society so that he can fit into his role as a movie star, such as with a famous girlfriend, countless repetitive movies, luxurious parties, etc. Katherine and Don both dealt with the pressure of society’s strong expectations in different ways, causing them to lose touch with themselves in the midst of other people’s opinions and ideas. Consequently, society in our time period can easily influence us to submit to it’s heavy