Conformity In Animal Farm

The Difference between Conformist and Nonconformist

John F. Kennedy once said “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” What Kennedy meant is that being a conformist will make people not able to make choices. Conformists follow certain rules and do not have any freedom as human beings. An animal named Boxer from the novel called Animal Farm by George Orwell, is always working hard to make the farm better and inspired other animals to work hard as well. Martin Luther King Jr. is a civil right leader who fight for the freedom of African Americans. Many people think that conformity is the best thing to do, so they won’t get in trouble. But sometimes people think nonconformity is the best way to solve the problems that are happening like Luther did for his people and his country. The nature of conformity and nonconformity is that there will be short term effect, but there will long term benefits in the future.

Boxer is being a conformist by listening what the pigs told to do without question. One good example is when he and the other animals are

building the windmill. When the leader Napoleon told all the animals to build the windmill, Boxer didn’t complain or question him; instead, he and started working on it. A quote from Animal Farm “I do not understand it. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm. It must be due to some fault in ourselves. The solution, as I see it, is to work harder. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings” ( Orwell 54). This quote shows that even though Boxer doesn’t understand what is going on, he believed that by working harder he will be able to solve the problems. Even though Boxer is just following the rules, he doesn’t know the consequences for choosing that path.
The consequences for Boxer for being a conformist is the pain and suffering he goes through. An example is when he and the other animals have to wake up early to work. When they are building the windmill, the animals have to wake up early to build it so they could finish it. Not only that, when they come back to the farm, they eat less food which make them all more hungry. A quote from Animal Farm "All the animals took up the cry of 'Get out, Boxer, get out!'...his face disappeared from the window and there was the sound of a tremendous drumming of hoofs inside the van. He was trying to kick his way out. The time had been when a few kicks from Boxer's hoofs would have smashed the van to matchwood. But alas! His strength had left him and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away...Boxer was never seen again" (Orwell 77). This quote explains that even though Boxer is doing what he is told, he was just being used for someone else’s gain. Even though being a conformist has its good sides, there are others who think being a nonconformist is the best way.
Martin Luther King Jr. is an individual who feels that there is a need for change in society in order to make the world a better place.An example of this is when he started the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This boycott was aimed to fight the segregation of the bus between the blacks and white. By doing this, the boycotters made the bus company lose a large amount of money, and they were forced to desegregate the bus. A quote from Luther “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. (King 1963) This quote explains that freedom can’t be given,you will have to fight for it to able to gain it. With all the good intentions for Luther did, there will be consequences for his actions.
The consequences for Luther for being a nonconformist is pain, suffering and danger around him.

An example is when his house is bombed. Not only his house is destroyed for his actions, but made his family in danger as well. Another example is when he was assassinated. When he finally did so many achievements to change the law for his people. On April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee at Lorraine Motel, he was assassinated. “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals” (King 1959). This quote explains that by going through this path, there will be suffering, sacrifice, and struggle along the way. Yet he still keep going even though he knows what will happen to him. In the end, there will be consequences and results from going any of these two

path.
By going conformity or nonconformity, there will be things that will happen for a short term, but lather will have long term effect. For being a conformist like Boxer, you will follow the rules without getting any troubles, but will be used like a tool than a person. For being a nonconformist like Martin Luther King Jr., you will fight to change for a better future, but will have to go through the suffering, sacrifice, and struggle to get there. Even though doing any of these will have its good side, but there will be always a bad side for going there.