OPINION (AN COLÚN): The allure of expressing your soul in spite of life's conformity

THE TENSION between the allure of expressing your inner world and the instinct to fit in and conform has fascinated me for decades.
Some great literature over the centuries has shone a spotlight on this tension. Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes, is an excellent example of this. Many consider this book to be one of the greatest works of fiction in world literature and it's had a significant influence on subsequent literature, particularly in the context of philosophical themes. These themes explore ideas about personal authenticity, freedom, the nature of reality, the cold indifference of existence, and the individual's quest for transcendence.
From a philosophical perspective, Don Quixote's transformation into a knight-errant reflects the desire to follow your dreams and express what is in your thoughts and ideas; it's a challenge against, a defiance of, society's prevailing fashions. The famous Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard was fascinated as well by this struggle for authenticity in the face of conformity. Kierkegaard's reflection on poets as those who contain yearning for beauty and expression within themselves resonates with Don Quixote's internal struggles.
The knight-errant turns his back on a mundane existence and embraces a noble, inspiring quest; a mood which echoes the 20th Century idea expressed by existentialist thinkers that individuals should strive to shape their lives according to what is within their hearts, as much as is possible. Albert Camus' concept of the homesick hero, homesick for a world which would look favourably on self-expression (as exemplified by Don Quixote), emphasizes the longing for authenticity and the right to embrace one's own unique nature.
The mistaken perceptions which arise during Don Quixote's encounters with others resonates with Jean-Paul Sartre's notion of the human search for meaning in an indifferent world. Don Quixote's feelings of alienation and loneliness due to his divergence from societal norms and fashions align with existentialist concerns about authentic relationships and a sense of belonging. The exploration of identity and the pursuit of meaning by the Spanish poet Miguel de Unamuno finds parallels in Don Quixote's character as well, emphasizing the behaviour of individuals. The behaviour of those who are truly self-aware can seem to others to be like madness.
Through the character of Don Quixote, Cervantes masterfully captures the essence of these great philosophical themes and he invites readers to reflect on their own journeys in navigating the intricacies of life. The novel is a challenge to our own behaviour. Stepping outside society's acceptable modes of behaviour can invite rejection and laughter, but it can also be a healthy thing. The novel's enduring significance lies in its ability to resonate with important ideas and inspire introspection on the human condition.
Some of us like to go on religious retreats with the aim of submerging ourselves in a spiritual atmosphere. When we return to the world after these peaceful and harmonious retreats, the ways of society and the daily routine can seem like a terrible jolt. It feels as if your soul is swimming against the tide of what is happening around you. Your heart can feel in disagreement with everybody in the room, everybody in the town, everybody in the wider society at large. Outwardly we appear to be going with the flow but within is a different story. It's a sensible ploy to go with the flow because most of the time it's not adviseable to contradict the Group Think due to the very possible pain of being sneered at or criticised by others. However, when the Group Think is seriously awry then damage can be done; in these difficult and stressful moments it behoves us to do the right thing, the appropriate thing; sometimes even the brave or heroic thing.
Contradicting humanity's incredibly powerful herd instinct doesn't have to be terribly dramatic. It could be simple things like disagreeing during conversations with others who are being racist or sectarian, and reminding them of the simple truth that we are all creatures of God; it could be done by choosing not to be judgemental of other people's dress sense, mannerisms or body shape (even when others are sneering and denigrating of them) because you know there is much more to life than outer appearances, there is a whole world of love.
The American poet EE Cummings pointed out that in his opinion the ideal subjective state of being in life was to be “nobody-but-yourself”. He wrote, “To be nobody-but-yourself – in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.
“Almost anybody can learn to think or believe or know, but not a single human being can be taught to feel. Why? Because whenever you think or you believe or you know, you're a lot of other people: but the moment you feel, you're nobody-but-yourself.”