Madame Bowden tells Martha, "Conformity is a death sentence…you must embrace what makes you stand out." Is this always sage advice?

Madame Bowden tells Martha, "Conformity is a death sentence…you must embrace what makes you stand out." Is this always sage advice? When is it OK to conform, and when is it better to stand out?

Conformity is not always a death sentence in that there is a myriad of positive goals in life that require common support, presenting consistent messaging, and coordinated effort. Better to stand out if you're competing for a job or running for political office and you have superior qualifications.

Interesting question. Being a nonconformist is only for the brave of heart. Perhaps this says it best :“ How glorious it is, but also how painful, to be an exception” Alfred de Mussett.
People often do not like it when someone stands out, doesn’t follow the herd, or makes choices they wouldn’t make. I think, if you make choices or take actions only to force nonconformity, you risk missing the point and suffering without any reason or without any of the inner joy one gets from being true to oneself. Madame Bowden is right, you must embrace who you are. Does that mean you cannot function as part of a team? No, it does not. Does that mean you have to always be the center of attention ? No. Will your pathway be less rocky if you blend in ? Most certainly. However, you should embrace what makes you unique, your special skills and attributes. These will not only help build your self confidence and self esteem, they will make you more successful in whatever you do. So, sparkle, and understand that some will try to dull your shine.

It might not always be sage advice but I think it's good advice. It's too easy to go un-noticed if you don't somehow make yourself known.

I suppose it could go either way. If you stand out too much, you might be shunned and unapproachable. If you have just enough "flair" then you're likely considered interesting and a draw for people.

It's good advice on the whole, but not always easy advice to follow, because there is often a great cost. Having the strength to maintain your unique opinions or character in the face of mockery and even persecution is not for the faint of heart. I also agree that some conformity (i.e. to laws designed for the common good) is necessary in our relationships to other humans.

I think it was mostly good advice. We all strive to be a person true to themselves. Sometimes it means conforming a little. I wonder what her advice would be in a 2024 world.

Book characters get to say whatever they want and it works! That said, we do need to be true to ourselves, but recognize that it takes lifelong dedication, being respectful of what other have to say, and not judging others for how they live. Conformity is a death sentence, but not a death blow. As long as you are still alive and breathing, you can turn that around.

Conformity is not a death sentence unless one conforms to something detrimental, harmful, destructive, malicious, limiting, or obviously false. In that case, conformity becomes very dangerous to the individual and society as a whole. One can conform to a general practice and simultaneously introduce new concepts and help the practice evolve with fresh ideas and generational change. If the change doesn't happen and the status quo is detrimental, then by all means, don't conform. It seems that major advancements can occur with non-conformance, often at a price to the brave person introducing them. Progress is made with non-detrimental, non-conformance.