Reflection on Corn-Pone Opinions

1. According to Mark Twain, “It is in our nature to conform” (paragraph 7); he also says that we do so for self-approval. The two statements seem contradictory; how does Twain connect conformity and self-approval?
   
   
   Mark Twain connects conformity and self-approval by claiming that people conform to the same ideas. When a change occurs, people all adapt to this change in order to receive self-approval. And in order to be confident in themselves and receive self-approval, humans wish to be accepted by others. Twain argues that even those who resist conformity at first, often bend to it. He states: "Even the woman who refuses from first to last to wear the hoop skirt comes under that law and is its slave; she could not wear the skirt and have her own approval; and that she must have, she cannot help herself. But as a rule our self- approval has its source in but one place and not elsewhere- the approval of other people." Through this example Twain's logical argumentation allows the audience to understand how an individual tends to conform to society's changes, even against their own will. In Twain's opinion, this is because human beings wish to be accepted by others. As a result, the desire for acceptance tends to override original values and beliefs. 
   
   
   
   
2. Twain makes a distinction between “standards” and “fashions” (paragraph 10). What is the difference? What examples does he provide for each? How does the distinction apply to the
   twenty-first century?
   According to Twain, "standards" are ideas that are held and last, whereas "fashions" tend to be trends or beliefs that do not last. Twain uses Shakespeare as an example of a standard because people have embraced Shakespeare's pieces throughout the centuries. He provides "manners" as an example of a fashion. People hold the concept of manners as a standard, yet  different types of manners become fashions and change as society conforms. The distinction between standards and fashions applies to our society today in the 21st century. As the years progress, we conform and change our ideas and views. Examples of different fashions within our society include advanced technology, forms of writing, styles of music, etc. Yet some standards remain- such as the Constitution that our nation is founded on, as well as Shakespearean pieces, and religious views. Although aspects of these standards may change, the fundamental concept of the standards remain the same. For instance, although several branches have formed from the Christian religion (such as the Presbyterian Church, Catholic Church, Congregational Church, etc), several of the founding ideas from the Bible continue to be embraced. 
   
   
   
   
   
3. Twain’s essay is ultimately a denunciation of cultural chauvinism. What consequences does he suggest are the result of “corn-pone opinions”? What are explicit? What are implicit?
   
   
   Twain suggests that the consequence of "corn-pone opinions" has negative effects on people within society. Twain clearly believes that peoples' desire to be accepted by others may have a negative result. There are several consequences of people forming opinions in order to gain approval from others. One of the explicit or obvious consequences of "corn-pone opinions" is that an individual might disregard all of his values in order to fit in with everyone else. Also, another explicit consequence of "corn-pone" opinions is that an individual does not rely on his own intellectual capacity to form his own opinions. Rather he relies on the opinions of others, and does not reach his intellectual potential. In Twain's essay, there are also several implicit (or implied) consequences of forming "corn-pone" opinions. As Twain is an abolitionist and elaborates on a black man's "corn-pone" opinions, he implies that the black race is equal to the white race. Twain indicates his appreciation for Jerry and fascination by him, and even states that the black race is "overlooked." Clearly Twain suggests in this essay that public opinion has prevented the black race from reaching its potential.