Cornpone
Opinions Matter Mark Twain’s essay “Corn-Pone Opinions” was all about how people in society follow trends, even when they do not like them. In the beginning of the essay Twain talks about being fifteen and how he loved to hear this black man’s sermons. His mother forbids him to listen to these sermons because the black man was a slave. He then goes on to talk about how “a man is not independent, and cannot afford views that might interfere with his bread and butter” (1400). He is trying to say that if you do not have the same ideas or opinions as you neighbors you could possible damage your social standing and business prosperities. Later on Twain talks about how we all have to approve ourselves by the approval of others, “it is our nature to conform; it is a force which not many can successfully resist” (1402). For example when a new fashion trend comes along like the feather in the hair, one person has it then everyone else start to do it even if they do not like it in order to feel like they fit in. Eventually this trend will go out of style and if you are seen wearing it you will get laughed at because it is not what is in style anymore. Another essay “Harrison Bergeron” written by Kurt Vonnegut talks about a bleak future where everyone is the same. Vonnegut’s story ties in with Twain’s essay because it is about a future where every one is the same. If a man was tall he was tied down with weights to balance out someone of a lesser size, if someone was gorgeous they would have to wear a hideous mask to cover it up, etc. I agree with Twain’s and Vonnegut’s argument about conformity, people tend to agree with the majority. Does anyone really have an original opinion? I agree with Twain, that there are no original opinions. “It was his idea that there is such a thing as a first-hand opinion; an original opinion; an opinion whish is coldly reasoned out in a man’s head, by a searching analysis of the facts involved” (1400). We all base our opinions
Cited: Twain, Mark. “Corn-Pone Opinions.” (1923) The Family Mark Twain. New York: Dorset, 1988. 1400-1403. Print. Vonnegut, Kurt. "Harrison Bergeron." Holt Elements of Literature Third Course. Holt Rinehart & Winston, 1961. Web. 19 Sep 2011.