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The article, “Relation between Individual and Society” by Anayet Hossain and Korban Ali shows the mutual relationship of individuals with society. Both authors are professors at the University of Chittagong working in the department of philosophy. This article can be easily accessed from a website called file script which is an article database. From here, Hossain and Ali discusses how individuals and society both depend on each other to exist meaning they both influence one another greatly. Society can affect individuals through the nature of society, the nature of man, and equality.

The nature of society:

Society is an abstract term meaning the state of condition of relationships between the members of a group. Hossain and Ali claims how, “society exists wherever there are good or bad, relationships between human beings” (Hossain and Ali 131). As human beings, it is our nature to be affected by the activities, places and people we interact with. Most of the time it is bad influence which in turns transforms our thoughts and feelings in a negative way. When carrying this negativity, you will inevitably pass it on to someone else making it an unstoppable infection that will eventually ruin the entire society. Like in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Scout begins to use the racist words her schoolmates used to describe African Americans. Clearly, Scout is being negatively affected by her society since they all show racism against colored-people.

The Nature of Man:

Man is a social animal and can not exist without the presence of others. He feels the need to be with a society and develops his personality, language, and inner-self by living with a society. Hossain and Ali further explains how, “every human took birth, grows, and die in society” (Hossain & Ali 132). In addition, all human qualities is developed from the interaction with others in a society. On the other hand, man can easily be influenced in a negative way by also interacting with others which creates a prolonging problem. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the white adults of town are influencing Scout and Jem by interacting with them to show how Atticus made a mistake to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus even goes to tell his kids to be quiet and respectful to prove that they need a society to survive even when it goes wrong.

Equality:

Even though man and society depends on each other to function, equality is needed to form a sustainable society. Everyone has their own way of thinking that may cause society to shun them out. This means the equality system requires, “all parties to take no interest in one another’s interest” (Hossain and Ali 134). To take no interest in one another’s interest means there can not be favor in plurality and can only focus on individuality. Similarly, in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Atticus knows he can not win the case of Tom Robinson due to the many adults who are racist against him. They all put their interest of accusing him leaving only Atticus to try and give justice for Tom.

Sadly, society still negatively affects identities today. The examples from “To Kill a Mockingbird” give evident to support this. When trying to keep our good qualities, society completely ruins it due to the many influences it has. Furthermore, many people become violent and malicious due to their interactions with other people. Because the cycle of society and man will not cease, equality is needed to create justice and keep them in check. When the negative influence of society combines with human nature, our identity is inevitable changed to fit in.