Pressure And The Loss Of Autonomy In Feed By M. T. Anderson

Peer Pressure and the Loss of Autonomy Throughout the novel Feed by M.T. Anderson, peer pressure is portrayed in many fascinating ways. The relationships between characters, different trends that occur all throughout the book, and the loss of autonomy present a warning about the negative effects of peer pressure and how it evolves at a rapid rate. With the development and overreliance on technology occurring very quickly, Feed illustrates how constant stimulation and instant gratification can lead to a loss of personal identity, critical thinking and genuine human connection in our modern day society. Being in a relationship, creating a genuine human connection, is just one of the many things everyone dreams about having.

The thought of being different is difficult to Titus because he has the pressure on him to be whoever he wants to be but he doesn’t understand how. Link and Marty try to get Titus to do mal with them, but he refuses (87). He is different from the rest of his friends, but he continues to conform as not to bring down the mood or vibe in the group. While trying to be an individual and figuring out who he is was never a conscious conversation for Titus, it has been a subconscious theme as it can be seen earlier on that he is trying to be different and not go down the same path as his friends. Even though he has different interests and values from his friends, he still sacrifices it in order to fit in with the group. It’s not only Titus’ friends who have an image of what they want him to be. Violet also has this image in her mind that he will be someone who will love her forever. Violet lists over the feed, “10. I want to rent a hotel room with you. As Mister and Missus Smith” (230). Trying to be someone Violet can and will love forever is a lot of pressure that is being put on Titus. Not only from Violet but also from his friend’s as mentioned earlier. Not being able to be an individual or wanting to try and find yourself is virtually impossible in this society. Having to put up a front with different types of people can be draining, but his mother tells him something he could never forget. Titus’ mother tells him about how he was created and how they wouldn’t change him for the world (114). This probably lifts some weight off of Titus’ chest but he still can’t be himself around his friends. Because they all have a different image of him, he can’t express himself, nor can he understand the beautiful things of the world. The feed has taken over so much of Titus’ brain, he can’t even think for himself anymore and relies on the technology too much. He has lost his