<p>I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.
--GK Chesterton (1874-1936)</p>
<p>Assignment: Are people held back by their adherence to the beliefs of the majority or doing things in a conventional way? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experiences or observations.</p>
<p>Although society is largely governed by certain practices and conventions, often, going against social customs is what is best for an individual. By doing things in an unconventional manner, people often create new opportunities for themselves and improve their lives immensely. In literature, the characters of Guy Montag, Romeo and Juliet, and Atticus Finch all exemplify this.</p>
<p>In Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag's beliefs that books are harmful are in sync with the rest of his society, and as a fireman, he contributes greatly to their destruction. However, a series of events soon open his eyes to the true beauty and wonder of books, causing him to rebel against the beliefs of the majority and join "the book people", a group dedicated to the preservation of great works. By doing so, Montag was able to lead the rest of his life in a much more satisfactory and meaningful manner.</p>
<p>Romeo and Juliet, from the novel of the same title by William Shakespeare, fall in passionate, overwhelming love, even though they are from rival families and, as is custom at the time, must marry according to their family's wishes. They persevere, and ultimately marry. Although tragic mishaps ultimately result in their deaths, by defying social norms and pursuing their love Romeo and Juliet avoided leading unhappy lives and took a chance to live happily.</p>
<p>In the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell, not a single animal questions the pigs' tyranny in the so called "democracy" on the farm. Rather, they accept their fate and adhere to the beliefs of the majority, thereby dooming themselves to live in miserable conditions, remaining tired, cold, and hungry. </p>
<p>So, by accepting largely believed truths, people often doom themselves to unhappy lives. Indeed, adhering to the beliefs of the majority can hold a person back. By thinking for themselves, people can create and seize new opportunities for themselves, moving ahead into better, happier lives.</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>