English

"Even though society is the sum of its individuals, individuals will often be at odds with society". In other words, even though society determines the way we live, people are still governed by their own individualism. The novels 1984, Looking for Alibrandi and the film Dead Poets Society are texts which reveal different extents of agreement with this idea.

To individuals, "society", is represented by themselves, their family and others.

When an individual cannot gain comfort and peace from this society, thus being at odds with it, he or she may turn to suicide. Both LFA & DPS communicate to a large extent the concept of this statement. John Barton is the son of a wealthy MP who appears to have everything. However, despite his privileged social status, he cannot find happiness. He finds it impossible to escape the pressures of his family. His quote, "sometimes I think that this life is shit", rein-forces the idea that he lacked the inner strength to overcome his difficulties and used suicide as the easy way out. Thus this demonstrates the fact that John neither gained comfort nor peace from society thus was at odds with it. Comparable to John Barton is Neil Perry from the film DPS. Neil is a lively student. He is, however, harshly bullied by his authoritarian father, who tolerates no deviation from the career plans that he has laid out for his son. Neil is pushed to the edge when his farther finds out he has participated in an extra curricular activity without his permission. He furiously drags Neil home and tells his son that he is to be enrolled in another school immediately. Failing to come to terms with this painful situation, Neil shoots himself. Both Neil and John commit suicide due to their intimidating fathers. They cannot feel at ease with their respective families - an important aspect of society. Thus John and Neil are both individuals to whom society is something that they are, to a great extent, at odds with.

To be at odds with society is one thing, however to be at odds with the principles on which society functions, is far more extreme. This conception is explored to a vast extent in both 1984 and DPS. 1984 portrays a bleak world where individual expression is a crime and the quality of life-poor. Winston Smith, the main character, is presented as an ordinary man who is out of step with society. He bears great hatred towards the