Edwards 1
Stanley Edwards
4/24/19
301 Humanities
Film & Culture
Culture Individualism: Requires Psychological Strength and Confidence
In the poem Trust your own instincts Alexander Foe says, “Sometimes I trust my instinct, but it
tells me to do things in ways, that no one dares.” Individualism is a culture can be reflected if someone is
strong enough to handle making psychological decisions and can stand behind the outcome of the
decision. In the film Monday’s Girls (1993) directed by Ngozi Onwurah, there is a small village that
selects young girls to take part in what’s the Iria Ceremony. The ceremony is a process for the young girls
transition to womanhood. A young woman named Asikiye flies back home to take part in the ceremony
for her family. After understanding certain conditions of the ceremony, she says, “I don’t want to
anything that shows her body”(film). This one of few conditions Asikiye mentioned, which were later
discredited and led to the breakup of her family. Although Asikiye wasn’t respected by others for her
decision, she showed individualism by only doing what is best for herself. In the text Othello (1603), the
story is based off a man of darker color skin and referred to as a moor. Dennis Britton writes, “Othello’s
religious identity and romance proves more effective the emerging racial discourse in the construction of
identity” (p. 28). Throughout the course of the story he searches for acceptance from those who discredit
him the most. He then faces the reality of his “so called” best friend portraying him in end the of the text.
Othello’s quest to please everyone and show devotion to ours for acceptance led to his downfall. The
characters from both films exhibit different forms of individualism. In One shows the power to stand
alone, while the other searches for assurance instead of belief in self judgment. The idea of individualism
can be reflected by not being afraid of the psychological outcome and standing with their own ideas in
decision making.
Edwards 2
What is it to be an individual? An individual is something or someone that stands alone. To have
the ability to stand alone in any situation takes courage. In more cases than not some may difficulties
standing alone in situations and can get sucked into the crowd, but others may not. Although it is more
likely it isn’t always the case. In this research, both cases of being more vulnerable to following other’s
wrongdoings and one who chooses to stand alone will be exhibited. An individual would be someone
who’s choices would base strictly off their own ideas and desires. Some struggle in remaining strong
minded in uncomfortable situations. Those who struggle can fall into the rims of unwanted predicaments
due to their unwillingness to stand firm in what they truly desire. This research is based off what happens
throughout the course of making young own decisions.
The tradition of the ceremony comes with great values and is very important to the leaders and
people of Ogoloma but it also challenges some of the beliefs of the girls. Girls who take part of the Iria
ceremony are women of great moral and respect. With these things come must come the understanding of
