American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that conformity = suicide. In other words, to conform is to kill your individuality, your authentic self.

Apply Emerson’s idea to Esther’s world of 1950’s America. Do you think her depression may be a result of her rejection of her society’s values?

Does society put too much pressure on its citizens to live a certain way and as a result cause people to perhaps to live a lie? Live a fake life? There

are many poignant scenes from the book that exhibit Esther acting “mad” as a result of her rejection of her world. What are a few that come to

mind? What about your world? In what ways does your world cause depression or madness? Please answer all questions. Be detailed and honest. 500 words or more. please follow instructions