Fear as a Tool/Idividuality Vs. Conformity (Reflection)

Is it more important to conform to society’s ideals or to preserve individuality? Literature is a tool for artistic and individualistic expression in existence of a particular society. O'Flinn's article "Orwell on Literature and Society" expresses the importance of literature and its undeniable political nature. Instead of blindly conforming to the ideas of a society, O’Flinn emphasizes the importance in Orwell's belief that "out of this tension [with society] will grow much of the value of his [the writer's] books" (606). O’Flinn identifies Orwell’s claim that literature is as important to society as society is important to literature. He expresses that “on the one hand society influences and on the other hand is influenced by its writers” (608). In fact, Orwell’s writings have a major influence on society as he reveals the dangers of a much too powerful government without any outlet to express individuality in his novel 1984. This vision Orwell has created in 1984 is both outrageous and terrifying. Being constantly monitored by the telescreen, Winston and all others in this dystopian society had to live under “the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every movement scrutinized” (Orwell 3). Living in constant fear of being overheard or seen doing something that is considered illegal is oppressive. Not only are people unable to do as they please in their own homes, even their thoughts are monitored by the “Thought Police”. In a society without self expression, without art, without love, and without individuality life becomes robotic, and meaningless. In order to establish this complete conformity, Orwell presents that individuals must live in constant fear. Similarly Foucault’s “Discipline & Punish (1975), Panopticism” expresses this same principle. Bentham’s Panopticon “induce(s) in the inmate a state of conscious and permanent visibility that assures the automatic functioning of power” (Foucault np). If individuals feel it is possible to constantly be watched, they will be more conscious of all their actions and assume they are being watched at all times. This is no way to live, even for an inmate. There is no chance for wiggle room, no chance to make mistakes. This is not what being human is about. Often times the way to truly learn is through making mistakes. In answer to the question above, I feel that it is more important to preserve individuality than to conform to society or in the worst case to allow a totalitarian type of government to exist. Still, there needs to be a balance between the needs of the individual and the needs of the society. This may not be Utopia, which has evidently the power to be corrupted, but may be more of a utopian-like society. What I mean by a more utopian-like society is a society where the needs of every individual can be met, without stripping of individuality. Maybe it isn’t possible, but I sure hope it is!