Culture in the simplest sense is made up of
only a few foundational elements: a common set of beliefs, values, customs, and
language. These shared patterns that unite individuals, also distinguish each
other from the wide variety of different cultures in the world. Culture can be
seen in all types of societies—dystopian, the past, and the
present—illustrating the prominent role it plays in the actions and thoughts of
individuals whose perception alters in conjunction to the respective values.
Regardless of our differences, culture defines our self-identity and dictates
the values that we hold. Literature suggests through character
perspectives and stylistic literary devices that identities do indeed drive
from traits that are instilled by culture as well as one’s inert
individuality.
In both Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and
Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, Offred and Winston are seen to
change to perceive reality in a form that is the norm to the new, yet
forcefully familiar culture. Culture is forced upon them and their
self-perceptions are subject to change appropriately to suit the new values and
beliefs that are enforced. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince Hamlet
is also shown to be forced, as part of his duty, into his plan for revenge,
indicating that a culture overrules one’s nature to follow the customs of his
time period. Hamlet’s interpretation of his culture demonstrates how culture
eventually makes history, as the traditions ingrained in the beliefs of the
people allow them to repeat the mistakes and actions of others in the past. The
Happiness Project, however, proves Offred, Winston and Hamlet wrong,
as it shows Gretchen breaking out of the shell that society has entrapped her
in, and taking charge of her thoughts and actions through self-evaluation.
Literature thus seems to capture the sense of the struggling balance that many
attempt to juggle between ingrained values and individuality.
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