Me Against The World

In class we've now learned about two different cases of extreme individualism: Chris McCandless and Grizzly Man. Both despised American societal values and cast themselves into the wilderness. But could American values be the driving force that shaped these people into ultra-individualists? I think that the way America promotes individualism and freedom causes people to naturally hate the system. In America, it's encouraged to become a unique person and live life the way you want. At school I always learned to express my opinions, even if they weren't what everyone else believed. It may be a paradox that the way the two people we studied led their lives was in accordance with they way America believes its citizens should behave. Of course, individualism in America is usually not expressed to the extent that McCandless and Tommy expressed it. Most people still have friends who are like themselves, religions that dictate what they do, and some people live in sheltered communities with near identical homes as far as the  eye can see. While these instances of conformity were caused by American culture, I believe that the Constitution, with the line entitling every person to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", resonates with extreme individualists.