Number 12 Looks Just Like You Analysis

Conforming to Solidarity The Twilight Zone episodes “Number 12 Looks Just Like You” and “Eye of the Beholder” emphasize conformity as a key element in the success of the modern-day societies. In detail, in “Number 12 Looks Just Like You” as adolescents turn into adults, they select a predisposed pattern from a category of people. Respectfully, in “Eye of the Beholder” Janet is forced to undergo procedures to reverse her natural beauty in order to appear ugly and disfigured as the rest of the populous appears. This message of conformity and a homogenous appearance goes against the present-day beliefs that individuality and personal expression bring a positive element of variance into our day to day life. “We must cut out all that is different like a cancerous growth. It is essential to this society that we not only have a norm but that we conform to that norm. Differences weaken us. Variations destroy us.” (Eye of the Beholder). Spoken by the leader, this direct quote makes the viewer understand that in their society, conformity is necessary and required to prevent disruption within the population. Within the melting pot that is

Although the central message of conformity is still upheld, it is opposite of “Eye of the Beholder” in that this society has a pre-determined set of beautiful patterns that their citizens choose from instead of being forced into one disfigured norm. Meanwhile, Marilyn states “when everyone is beautiful, no one will be because without ugliness there can be no beauty.” (Number 12 Looks Like You) emphasizing her belief that what makes something beautiful is its ability to stand out amongst others like it, and not something that can be standardized. However, it is later discovered by Marilyn that the government alters personality traits as well, to create a more cooperative and happy