Conformity Speech

Jack Ault Advanced English 15/03/2011
Conformity Speech
Individuals yearn for acceptance and understanding. But, in a society where
individuality is desired conformity is steadily, gradually, and inevitably being
practiced…
Literature speaks this truth through many tales, but Animal Farm, by George
Orwell, and “The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock”, by T.S. Elliot, are the two in my
focus. These two literary pieces will unfold their true aspects of conformity, the
reasons behind conformist thoughts and behaviours, and will blatantly represent
their applications in life. Many forms of conformity linger in the foreground and
background of daily activity, but why are we succumbed to their effects?
Conformity scoffs the easily seduced minds of our society and instinctively places
them with the strongest notion or ideology available. This prefabricated system
of order is dispelled into Animal Farm and is an archetype in “The Lovesong of J.
Alfred Prufrock”. One Minute Old Major’s ideology of an animal constructed utopian
society heightens the animals’ attention and creates a revolution amongst Manor
Farm. This diminishes Mr. Jones’ previous autocratic power over the animals,
breaking the animal’s conformist reliance to Mr. Jones. Through the creation of
Animal Farm the pigs grasp the pinnacle position of this “utopian society”, whilst
the other animals, the minorities, trail behind the orders spoken by the pigs.
Through Napoleon’s unhinged determination for control, the sheep demonstrate
the easily seduced minds of conformists by the repeated crying of, “Four legs
good, two legs bad”. This maxim, set forth during the first stages of the
revolution, demonstrates political pressures set out by the political activists, in
this case Napoleon and his dominions, in order to conform many to his ideology.
This is later known to be true political conformity when the pigs take on human
characteristics Two Minutes, march on their two hind legs, and proclaim “Four legs
good, two legs better”. Napoleon’s promotion of political propaganda set forth by
his fellow cohorts, “Napoleon is always right”, and Boxers most well known
maxim “I will work harder” are great examples of designed employment of
conformity. These political pressures become so powerful that their own sanities
collapse, especially in the instance of “All animals are equal, but some animals
are more equal than others”. With the underlining correspondence to
communism, the principles of conformity are marginalized by the true beliefs of
Old Major, that had established Animal Farm and its foundations…
T.S. Elliot has developed a character that demonstrates the effects that
conformity may present in our society, and contrasts subsequently to the finale
of Animal Farm. Along an evenings journey the persona contemplates society’s
expectations and results in the dwelling of self-pity, cruel self-criticism, and
painful isolation. Three Minutes Prufrock dwells in and out of streets, pondering and
repeatedly questioning his self with rhetorical questions, such as “Do I dare…do I
dare?” Elliot uses erotesis to depict the persona with feelings of insecurity and
overwhelming fear, due to the presence of pressures set forth by conformity and
society’s expectations. These expectations set unrealistic goals and unnecessary
pressure on all individuals. Prufrock’s self-criticism, such as “They will say: "But
how his arms and legs are thin!"” clearly illustrates how the pressures, and
expectations, of society are clawing into his mind, trying to seduce him into
conformity, by means of fear. The isolation experienced by the persona is
Jack Ault Advanced English 15/03/2011
demonstrated by “It is impossible to say just what I mean”. Prufrock’s feeling of

isolation displays that he is trying to distance himself away from conformity. The
persona’s distancing from conformity demonstrates non-conformist behaviours.
The isolation of the persona allows the persona to indulge in unrealistic thoughts
such as, “Till human voices wake us, and we drown.” The use of a mixed
metaphor enables us to capture the persona’s reinvention of his dream-
fabricated world. But, this world is disconnected when conformity tears through
and tries to project its own notions. Conformity, in “The Lovesong of J. Alfred
Prufrock” is made to showcase the negative appeals of society’s expectations,
and teaches us that each individual holds a choice.
In conclusion, conformity can display signs of advantage but is heavily weighted

by many disadvantages. Furthermore Animal Farm and “The Lovesong of J.
Alfred Prufrock” both clearly demonstrate that the pressures of conformity are
set by our society, and that it is these pressures that influence us to either take
part with conformity and to take part in non-conformity. These expectations will
always be present and ongoing in our society and our daily activities… Thank
you‼

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Jack Ault Advanced English 15/03/2011

demonstrated by “It is impossible to say just what I mean”. Prufrock’s feeling of

In conclusion, conformity can display signs of advantage but is heavily weighted

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