Society divides people into two categories; those who conform to
what is expected, and those who do not. Webster's dictionary defines 'conformity'
as, "similarity in form or character; correspondence; agreement; action or behaviour
in correspondence with current customs, rules or styles." When a person fails to
measure up to certain expectations, those in power inflict consequences. Under
these circumstances, it is human nature to feel the need to rebel, either externally or
internally. These statements are apparent in both 1984 and One Flew Over
The Cuckoo's Nest. Both main characters fall into the non-conformist category, but
In 1984, the main character Winston Smith, lives in a society of rules and
regulation, which is written in stone. The laws are strict and the punishment is
swift, should they be disobeyed. Expectations form any large or small community
and rules define the way it should behave. The "Party" is the one and only figure of
power in the book. It maintains control over the people by removing a few basic
human instincts. The first instinct is hate. All people in the society are expected to be
united and act as one, even if it means losing their own identity, " 'Oh comrade', she
began....It was Mrs. Parson's, the wife of a neighbour on the same floor. 'Mrs' was a
word somewhat discountenanced by the Party- you were supposed to call everyone
'comrade' "(20). By forcing all of the people to call each other 'comrade', the Party
attempts to remove any spark of originality from the people. In many cases, it has
always been the individuals that have caused the most uproar.
The Party dictates that people should love "Big Brother" (the figurehead),
hate Goldstien (the enemy) and outsiders. All personal written material is strictly
forbidden, as well as ...