Navigating Identity through Acts of Disobedience

Abstract

According to Erich Fromm, disobedience is a necessary act of moral courage and an important driver of social progress. This idea is vividly illustrated by three stories: "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" (Le Guin), "Borders" (King) and "Unauthorized Bread" (Doctorow). In each work, the protagonists, in different forms of disobedience in response to unjust systems, demonstrate that resistance is essential for preserving human dignity and freedom. Through their navigation of societal roles, whether by acceptance, resistance, or defiance, these characters offer implicit critiques of both individual choices and the broader societal structures that frame them. Together, the three stories affirm Fromm’s belief that disobedience is a moral necessity.

Co-winner of the 2024 Intersectional Social Justice Essay Prize (1^st year category)