Similarities Between To Kill A Mockingbird And 1984

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Individuality is a trait the humans prize themselves for. It is what makes us each unique, physically and mentally. Despite being a trait that everyone has, people refuse to accept this, for various reasons. However, several people recognize the importance of individuality and took action to solve the issue. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and 1984 by George Orwell signify this throughout their books. TKaM is about 2 kids, Jem and Scout, who learn life lessons through court cases, tea parties and more. 1984 is about a man named Winston and his efforts rebelling against Big Brother and the government. Both stories are from two completely different times yet are still connected through a theme of individuality. Individuality is suppressed …show more content…

1984 demonstrates this through Winston internal rebellion as he thinks “He obeyed the Party, but he still hated the Party. In the old days he had hidden a heretical mind beneath an appearance of conformity. Now he had retreated a step further: in the mind he had surrendered, but he had hoped to keep the inner heart inviolate. He knew that he was in the wrong, but he preferred to be in the wrong.” (3.4.24) Winston was tortured after being caught in acts of crime against big brother and though he can no longer rebel, his opinion about Big Brother stays true to his heart, proving that individuality is in the end only that person's’ choice. In TkaM, Atticus demonstrates this through his willing to fight for Tom Robinson and his own beliefs despite everyone going against him. An example of Atticus fighting for his beliefs is when he’s attacked by a mob and he says“A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man.” The mob almost hurt both of his kids yet his belief of mobs are firm. Violent or not, a mob is still filled with man so they still should hold the same respect as any other person and this belief, is one much of Maycomb community doesn't hold. Lee and Orwell both emphasis on the fact that despite all the hardships in troubles, one should always hold their individuality close, like a prized possession. Through both incidents, they prove that individuality cannot be controlled unless given