 |
| "Sheeple" (2015) by John Conway |
What do you think of the Thoreau quotation: "Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves"?
When are conformity and obedience positive attributes and when are they dangerous?
What, if anything, should Nora disobey?
I think Thoreau is trying to say that following along with other's expectations of you will not lead to a feeling of freedom. You will only feel free when you decide your own fate. Although, obedience is important when defying norms would be dangerous or unwise. For instance, breaking the law would be a form of disobedience that would put you in immediate danger. I think Nora should disobey the expectations that others have placed on her throughout her life. Her brother expected her to stay in his band, her father expected her to become an Olympic swimmer, but Nora does not want to disobey against them because she fears rejection.
ReplyDelete-Denna Bussinger
I agree, however, I believe that, her fear of rejection stems from a fear of failure, Nora has no confidence in herself. In her root life, she has never put herself out there or tried new things since she was young. So she never found the Liberty from disobedience that Thoreau talks about.
DeleteI agree with your statement, but I also have a question. Could it be that Nora had a literal fear of failure, or was it that she feared of not gaining the approval of those important to her? Such as her father’s approval of her career choice, remember she was happy to find that her dad was proud of her and her swimming career in this very chapter. Another example is in how she hopes for the approval of her brother Joe in every life she chooses, I noticed she seemed to not be as fearful of failing when she knew her brothers approval was present, especially in the chapters such as this, and the chapter titled “The Perfect Life”. I’m curious of you and others thoughts on what Nora truly feared throughout the novel.
DeleteI think this quote is the foundation to so much change especially in our country. If someone hadn't chosen to disobey a law, or disobey a command, then there wouldn't be the ability to challenge it from being right or wrong. Our country's foundation was built on the disobedience done in search of liberty. If you are tied down to doing whatever you are told even if you know it's wrong, then you are slaved to whatever is keeping you captive from breaking free. This can absolutely be a dangerous concept because many people take advantage of it thinking they can disobey the law because they feel superior rather than trying to challenge right from wrong. I agree with Denna that Nora needs to disobey and challenge the expectation placed on her by others. When being held down by others opinion of you, you truly are a slave to others. Rather than taking your life in your hands and knowing that you can be your own person apart from others brings a freedom and liberty.
ReplyDelete