Individual vs Society: Intro + Body Paragraph

  Throughout history, man has come together to create societies for the betterment of life.  By creating societies, man has inadvertently created social norms that the people should follow in order to create social stability.  In society today, people are faced with challenges that they can either approach based on their individual motives or by society's norms.  There are both beneficial and detrimental effects that people must face by acting either by individual motives or society's influences.  While people who act based on their individual motives are more likely to end up living a happier life, they must suffer the consequence of being isolated from the majority of society. People who act based on society's influences achieve the opposite result and are more likely to be accepted by society and enjoy a stable lifestyle.  However, these people risk the possibility of not acquiring true happiness.  However, in order for society to function properly, both individuals and people who are dependent of society must coexist.  Individuals shed new light on subjects and create changes by challenging the norms of society.  This leads to change and ultimately forward progression for society.  People who follow the norms of society are also needed so that chaos is avoided and order is maintained in society.   Although I believe that keeping true to oneself and attaining happiness is the most important principle one should follow, people should try to take a middle path, like Jane, and keep their individuality while not being completely isolated from society.

             Marriage is idealized as a harmonious, lasting bond between two lovers.  In Pride and Prejudice, Austen uses miserable marriages such as the Bennett's to show that the idealized concepts associated with marriage is not always present.  Through marriages, Austen is able to reveal whether a character acts upon his/her own interest or by normative pressures of society.  Elizabeth is an example of a character that repeatedly emphasizes the importance of people's individuality and acts based on her own motives.  When faced with a proposal of marriage by Mr. Collins, Elizabeth respectively declines since she wishes to marry for love and happiness, not for social stability/money.  (Mr. Collins quote).  Elizabeth's strong character demonstrates a positive aspect of being an individual, and allows her to pursue her own interests without falling under pressure by the norms of society. This rebellious act was seen as being very unusual during the early 19th century, and people often responded negatively.  As a result, Elizabeth is looked down upon as being rebellious, odd and ultimately disassociated with society, by people in society who regard social customs highly.  (quote about judging peoples character)/(quote about Miss Bingley or Lady Catherine belittling her).  Due to Elizabeth's strong independence, she is labeled as a crazy woman and is tossed aside by society.  Despite this negative affect, without strong, independent women like Elizabeth, women would not have challenged norms that were established in the 19th century and would not have gained the rights they have today.  

          I