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Conformity; The Bound Man

They constantly tried to untie or burn off his ropes to make him more like themselves. As stated on page 4, " to prevent the clown from playing his last practical joke. He was carrying a pair of scissors. When asked for an explanation he insisted that he had no intention of taking the bound man's life, but only wanted to cut his rope, because he felt sorry for him."" .
             Not only do people feel sorry for individualists, otherwise known as outcasts, but often people also are scared of them. In the case of the bound man, Aichinger writes, "The proprietor was well aware that what in the last resort protected the bound man from the jealousy of the other performers was his helplessness; he deliberately left them with the pleasure of watching him groping painfully from stone to stone on the river bank every morning with his wet clothes clinging to him (3)."" The other performers might have acted instinctively against the unique bound man if it were not for his apparent handicap. That is exactly what society does to people who try to be different. .
             The reason for this, perhaps, is that people find comfort in numbers. Going all the way back to childhood we are constantly able to hide behind a group of people. It is a safe way to ensure accomplishment. Strength in numbers! Two heads are better than one! We are frequently ordered to think that we need a group in order to succeed. The bound man knew that being tied up would only get himself laughed at. He joined the circus to be among people who had peculiarities just as he did. Society tells us to cover up our insecurities with other people. We imitate each other for fear of being "wrong- and it becomes the norm. Conforming to the majority is what has now become accepted, and people seek this acceptance. They want to be part of a group but the consequences are not all rewarding.
             When everybody is the same, people forfeit their individuality.


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