To Think For Yourself, You Must Question Authority

To be human is to attempt to non-conform. The panel shows squares and a convex shape. The squares are variations of the original square. The other squares imitate the same shape but change colors to create a new pattern. The convex shape stands out due to its different shape, but conforms because it follows the color scheme and the symmetry. The conformity of the color scheme and symmetry demonstrates the inevitability of conformity. The change in shape proves that even though others around one may conform, that does not justify entire conformity.

The inspiration for the quilt came from Catcher in the Rye and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Catcher in the Rye contains a very powerful message against conformity. Whoever Holden calls phony, I call conformist. Holden considers Sally Hayes to be phony because she is doing things because everyone else around her is doing them, not because she enjoys them. The novel proves that conformity is inevitable because Holden conforms because his views are shared by others, creating another group with which Holden agrees. Also, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has a very moving scene where Huck decides to go help Jim escape from Aunt Sally’s cabin. He says that he does not care what society thinks about him, he’s going to help Jim. At that instant, Huck decides to not go along with the trend of classifying African-Americans as sub servile. Consequently, Huck is conforming with the abolitionists because he agrees with what they have to say.