Connell
The yearning for conformity is a fundamental element in this literary work. Connell, the character, maintains a clandestine relationship with Marianne to evade any societal scrutiny of his behavior. The intense desire to conform to the local community’s norms is so compelling that it dominates his emotions towards Marianne, compelling him to prioritize social standing over his own well-being.
Connell’s social anxiety frequently governs his conduct in personal life, as he disrupts his enjoyment by preoccupying himself with how others see him. Connell’s inclination to conform to societal norms is exemplified by his deliberate refusal to acknowledge his romantic involvement with Marianne, despite harbouring affection for her. The narrator elucidates that “He had a feeling of constant resentment towards Marianne…. it was just the awkwardness of being associated with her sexually” (9).
Connell’s hesitance stems from his apprehension regarding the social ramifications and potential embarrassment that may arise if others become aware of his romantic involvement with the least popular girl in school. His use of the term “awkward” demonstrates his apprehension about being conspicuous or unorthodox. Connell’s apprehension of not conforming to his classmates ultimately motivates him to “invite Rachel to the debauch”, which Marianne perceives as the final decisive moment (21). Like Connell, she has concerns about her personal identity, though her insecurities center on her self-perception rather than how others see her.
Marianne
Marianne’s concerns with her self-esteem primarily arise from the dysfunctional dynamics within her family unit. The narrator recounts the persistent mistreatment inflicted upon her by her mother and brothers. By the age of sixteen, she developed a strong perception of herself as someone who deserved to be subjected to abuse (Rooney 5). Marianne, who was consistently defamed during her upbringing, internalized the notion that she was “undeserving of love”.
Marianne’s apprehensions regarding her self-identity are further exemplified through her association with Connell. Despite his mistreatment, she maintains the relationship with him when he demonstrates genuine care for her, even if he mistreats her. As stated, “He was the one who spoke to her…Until Connell accepted the loneliness.” (Ronney 10), Marianne’s propensity to endure harassment from Connell.
It can be attributed to her profound desire to evade being alone once more and her erroneous perception of herself. For her, displaying such patience is also an endeavor to conform to societal norms, as she temporarily assumes the role of a typical girl at school to have a partner. The pattern persists in her subsequent relationship with Jamie, as evidenced by the statement “Sometimes he was cruel to her…But she knew that if she lost him, she would be alone again” (Rooney 178).
Marianne, having internalized the conviction that she is deserving of mistreatment, chooses to endure Jamie’s brutality instead of confronting the distressing experience of being alone and a lack of affection. Marianne perceives herself as an undesirable individual due to the presence of cold and abusive family members, as well as her social interactions. The individual’s apprehension of solitude leads her to internalize the instances of bullying she encounters and find comfort in experiencing thoughts of inferiority, perceiving it as a deviant manifestation of security. To conform to societal norms that rejected her, Marianne transformed into a vulnerable individual susceptible to exploitation by anyone. The most detrimental aspect of this predicament is that in the absence of adequate assistance, she will persist in an addictive relationship, so diminishing her prospects for a respectable and genuinely ordinary existence.
Work Cited
Rooney, Sally. Normal People. Faber & Faber, 2019.