Refusal to Conform

The Refusal to Conform

“I don't believe in societal restrictions. It wasn't a choice - conformity simply never occurred to me.” (Lady Starlight)

As said by Lady Starlight, conforming to society’s ideals is not something one enjoys doing. Owen Meany and Chris McCandless feel the same way. In both “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “Into the Wild”, the main characters do not conform to society’s expectations, changing other characters’ outlook on life. Although the two books are very different, the theme of resisting to conformity is quite apparent in both books. Both “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “Into the Wild” exhibit a common theme of the main character refusing to conform to the ideals of society.

Both Owen and Chris show the reader that they do not accept religion as it is, and that the expectations that others have pertaining to religion are incorrect. “…Not only did Catholics kneel and mutter litanies and creeds without ceasing, but they ritualized any hope of contact with God to such an extent that Owen felt they'd interfered with his ability to pray—to talk to God DIRECTLY, as Owen put it…” (Irving, 101) This quote explains how Owen feels that the Catholic Church, whose sermons and services prohibit him from having a relationship with God. "When you forgive, you love. And when you love, God’s light shines upon you.” (Krakauer) Chris feels that you must truly believe feel love for religion to feel God, and that the way that religion is formatted does not allow people to love God, but rather only gives them a sense of safety. Both Chris and Owen feel that religion has a specific way of restricting them from their own religious freedom, and as a result, both accept nonconformity.

Owen and Chris both share a common defiance to their parents. The role of parent and child is ultimately switched with Owen and his parents: Owen tends to call the shots, while his parents remain docile and obedient. While most children conform to their parents’ wishes and accept...