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“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”Do you think of yourself as a conformist or a non-conformist? If you are like most people, you probably believe that you are non-conformist enough to stand up to a group when you know you are right, but conformist enough to blend in with the rest of your peers. Conformity: The action in accord with prevailing social standards, attitudes and practices. Individuality: the quality or character of a particular person or thing that distinguishes them from others of the same kind. The novel To Kill A Mocking Bird written by Harper Lee, and the novel The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas written by John Boyne, both demonstrate Conformity and individuality. The ultimate reward of conformity to group rules is a sense of belonging that one gets from being apart of that group, however, in order to attain this we must forsake aspects of our individuality. Both the novels illustrate the danger of blind conformity and mob mentality when it is not balanced with respect for individual values and principles.

In To Kill A Mocking Bird Atticus is a representative of a true individual, he exempts individuals who excuses tremendous courage in going against dominant views. Atticus is a heroic figure in the novel and a respected man in the town of Maycomb. He is the representative of a true individual. Symbolism in the novel comes in the form of the mockingbird, an innocent songbird that also takes shape in human forms. “...don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us to enjoy. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” one of the book’s important themes involves the threat that hatred, prejudice, and ignorance pose to the innocent: people such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are not prepared for the evil that they encounter. Tom and Boo are human mockingbirds: innocent men accused of crimes they did not commit. “Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This demonstrates how Atticus teaches Scout to get to know the individual before you judge them, he teaches scout the importance of empathy. This expresses his beliefs in trying to understand and comprehend others before judging them rather than engage in town gossip and medal. Atticus’ decision to defend Tom Robinson is an example of Atticus’ values. "Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do." Guns are used as symbolism as they represent a false strength, not a true inner strength that comes from doing what is right. When Atticus takes on Tom Robinson’s case, he is fully aware that he has no hope in win as racism and prejudice have been so imbedded in this society, Atticus breaks away from the negative conformity to embrace individuality, this demand the most tremendous courage.
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and To Kill A Mocking Bird both express ideas about conformity and individuality. We are shown and learn that blind conformity to dominant views can lead one to be prejudice against individuals which can result in the unjust persecution of such individuals. Bruno is an example of someone like Atticus in To Kill A Mocking Bird, they both embody the values of a true individual and don’t let blind conformity of others effect their decisions. They go against mob mentality and stand up for what they believe in. “...Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.” The belief that Jewish people were not human is emphasized through the common and conformist practice of discrimination against them. In order to effectively do this, people like Kotler and Bruno's father could not see them as people. Rather, Jewish people were seen as objects or "things" that need to be eliminated. Through this, discrimination is shown to be dehumanizing.