Compare the extent to which the expression of individuality or divergence from social or cultural norms is tolerated within the cultural context of each of at least two texts on your comparative course. Develop your response with reference to your chosen texts. (2022)
Feedback and comment: This is a nice, clear essay title (some of them are admittedly convoluted even for me who looks at them a lot), so I would definitely choose this kind of question should I be faced with the paper. This essay is extremely clearly structured – always a bonus! And I’ve taken the liberty of breaking it up into further paragraphs, so that you can most clearly see what I mean. This essay is a bit repetitive in some of its phrasing. The use of quotation is a little off: one should try to quote from all three in equal measure if one is to quote at all. H2.
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The expression of individuality within societal and cultural contexts is a recurring theme in literature and film. (I wouldn’t use the term theme just because it means something distinct in the context of LC Comparative. You could say motif.) In examining the cultural context of “Educated” by Tara Westover, “Lady Bird” directed by Greta Gerwig, and “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, I will compare the extent to which the expression of individuality or divergence from social or cultural norms is tolerated. Through the exploration of setting, gender roles, social class, and cultural values, this essay will discover how each text portrays the challenges and consequences of asserting one’s individuality within their respective cultural contexts.
The setting plays a significant role in shaping the cultural context and influencing the tolerance for individuality in each text.
In “Educated,” Tara Westover recounts her upbringing in rural Idaho within a conservative Mormon family where the isolated and patriarchal nature of her environment stifles her ability to express her individuality. The reader will be aware of the pressure and expectation to conform to the strict beliefs and practices of her family and community driven by religion. Westover’s pursuit of education becomes a catalyst for her divergence from these social and cultural norms, ultimately leading to conflict and estrangement from her family.
Similarly, in “A Raisin in the Sun,” Lorraine Hansberry explores the challenges faced by the Younger family, who live in a cramped apartment in a racially segregated neighbourhood in Chicago. The oppressive societal norms and systemic racism they encounter restrict their ability to assert their individuality and pursue their dreams, “I’m sick of all this ‘race’ nonsense… I am a human being, and so are you”. Walter Lee Younger’s desire to invest in a business venture represents his attempt to break free from the limitations imposed by his social and economic circumstances, highlighting the tension between individual ambition and societal constraints.
In contrast, “Lady Bird” is set in Sacramento, California, during the early 2000s, where the protagonist, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, navigates the vicissitudes of adolescence and her tumultuous relationship with her family. The suburban setting provides Lady Bird with a relatively liberal and culturally diverse environment, allowing for more freedom in expressing her individuality compared to the characters in “Educated” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” However, she still faces challenges in reconciling her own aspirations with her family’s expectations and societal pressures.
Gender roles significantly influence the tolerance for individuality within each cultural context portrayed in the texts.
In “Educated,” Tara Westover’s journey to assert her individuality is deeply intertwined with the patriarchal expectations placed upon her as a woman within her Mormon community. Westover’s defiance of traditional gender roles, such as pursuing higher education and challenging her father’s authority, is met with resistance and condemnation from her family and community. The rigid gender norms in her environment exacerbate the challenges she faces in asserting her autonomy and pursuing her own path. The physical violence she is subjected to by her older brother may be argued to have a gender dynamic with her cleaning the toilet and him recurrently assaulting her by dipping her head in it.
Similarly, in “A Raisin in the Sun,” gender roles play a significant role in shaping the characters’ experiences and opportunities for individual expression. Beneatha Younger’s desire to become a doctor defies societal expectations for women of her race and socioeconomic background, highlighting the intersecting challenges of gender and race in asserting individuality within a male-dominated society. Additionally, Ruth Younger’s role as a wife and mother imposes constraints on her ability to pursue her own dreams and aspirations, reflecting the limited agency afforded to women within their cultural context.
In “Lady Bird,” gender roles also influence the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and assertion of individuality. Lady Bird’s strained relationship with her mother stems in part from their conflicting expectations regarding gender roles and societal norms. Lady Bird’s desire to attend an East Coast college and pursue her artistic ambitions challenges the traditional expectations placed upon young women. Marion’s “very best version of yourself that you can be” seems quite different to the main character’s.
The role of money and social class further shapes the cultural context and influences the tolerance for individuality within each text.
In “Educated,” Tara Westover’s upbringing in a lower-class rural environment contributes to the isolation and lack of opportunities she faces in asserting her individuality. The economic constraints imposed by her family’s lifestyle limit her access to education or indeed the wider world, reinforcing the cycle of poverty and conformity.
Similarly, in “A Raisin in the Sun,” the Younger family’s precarious socioeconomic situation constrains their ability to express their individuality and be themselves. As African Americans living in a racially segregated society, they are faced with a series of barriers. Walter Lee’s ambition to improve their financial situation through entrepreneurship reflects his desire to assert his individuality and provide a better future for his family, despite the risks and obstacles he faces, “I’m a volcano. Bitter? Here I am a giant – surrounded by ants! Ants who can’t even understand what it is the giant is talking about.”.
In contrast, “Lady Bird” explores the intersection of money and social class in shaping the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery. However, her family’s financial struggles and limited resources present obstacles to her aspirations. From the expense of going to college in New York to the need to work in a coffee shop, Lady Bird experiences challenges with her family’s socioeconomic status and desires to escape her lower-middle-class upbringing.
The wider cultural context and cultural values prevalent within each text also influence the tolerance for individuality and divergence from social or cultural norms.
In “Educated,” Tara Westover grapples with the deeply ingrained cultural values and beliefs of her Mormon community, which prioritise obedience, conformity and patriarchal authority.
Similarly, in “A Raisin in the Sun,” the Younger family confronts the pervasive influence of systemic racism, “Just tell me, what it is you want to be – and you’ll be it…Whatever you want to be – Yessir!”. The cultural values of resilience, perseverance, and family unity guide their efforts to overcome adversity and express their individuality within a hostile and oppressive environment.
In “Lady Bird,” the cultural values of individualism, self-discovery, and personal autonomy prevalent within Lady Bird’s setting provide her with the freedom to explore her identity and assert her individuality. However, the pressures to conform to societal expectations and fit in with her peers present challenges, “I hate California, I want to go to the East Coast. I want to go where culture is, like New York, or Connecticut or New Hampshire.”
Through the exploration of setting, gender roles, social class, and cultural values, these texts offer nuanced insights into the complexities of navigating societal expectations and the pursuit of individuality. While the characters in “Educated” and “A Raisin in the Sun” confront oppressive societal norms and systemic barriers to individual expression, Lady Bird’s journey of self-discovery is shaped by the cultural values of personal autonomy and individualism prevalent within her community.