To conform or not to conform... Both in Opinions corn-pone by Mark Twain and in Life without principles by Henry David Thoreau, humanity is put into question to recognize that self-approval comes from conforming one's thoughts to the majority's belief system. Mark Twain has always been a keen observer of human nature. For example, he wrote about those people with whom he was surrounded in everyday life. Mark Twain's idea that groupthink is inevitable is reflected in Thoreau's Life Without Principle. Thus the two essays convey a clear message that humanity's narrow-minded opinions are what fuel society's basic belief systems. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The idea that fashions arise from the habits of man and not from the thinking of an individual, “it is in our nature to conform; it is a force that not many can successfully resist” is an excellent example. Henry David Thoreau presents the idea that the common man, in his daily routine, is a slave to a commerce-based system of American society. Furthermore, Thoreau writes, “We are deformed and restricted by an exclusive devotion to trade and commerce, and produce an agriculture and the like, which are but the means and not the end.” This statement shows Thoreau's point that commerce governs man. Thoreau is against the wage system as well as the American political system. Basically the common man has bought into the belief that working every day is the expected norm. Man has also come to accept political belief systems and use those common thoughts as his own. Henry David Thoreau's Life Without Principle and Mark Twain's Cornpone Opinions come to a similar conclusion; humanity's inability to think without the help of its peers. Mark Twain, considered the "father of American literature", attempts to define "Corn¬pone" and demonstrate that it is based on the need for approval from other like-minded men. In the opening, Twain writes about the positive qualities of his friend who he listens to without his mother's permission. Another clear example of how he knows his mother has a reason for not allowing him to hear him, based on his conforming to society's belief that black men are not equal to white men. However, before finishing, he leaves the reader with the knowledge that the friend is actually a slave. Thus Twain, Corn-pone Opinions, immediately shows that he too has fallen under the spell of public opinion. Why else would Twain even mention that the friend is a slave. He is saying that it is only human nature to believe what others believe and in this case it is the inferiority of the black man. Twain invites the reader to become aware that our opinions are closely influenced by the actions of others and the acceptance of our peers. Slavery is a perfect example of an accepted belief: “changes are not reasoned with; we simply notice and conform... As a rule we don't think, we only imitate”. This implies that slavery itself was a shared belief that silently became the norm and therefore accepted. Here Twain clearly stated that he was a supporter of the abolition of slavery. In the short essay The Cornpone Opinions, published after Mark Twain's death in 1910, the great humorist presents the idea that society's beliefs are influenced by social pressures. conform to an agreed standard. Basically, people have a natural tendency to conform and be similar to those around them. When a new idea or trend arises, it is initially seen as strange and unflattering. Man.