Throughout world history, nonconformists have made their mark by going against social norms. Religions were born from dissidents like Jesus Christ, Buddha and Mohammed. Mathematics and technology still used today were discovered by rebellious minds who went beyond the known and traditional. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that to be great is to be misunderstood. “Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh.” Nonconformists can accomplish great things by rebelling and not behaving in a socially prescribed way. William Shakespeare, Franz Kafka, Emily Dickinson and Sandra Gilbert are four authors who are not only non-conformist, but have also written on the subject. Each author explores the definition of nonconformity and highlights different aspects of it through characters who rebel by not behaving the same way as other people in a society or group. William Shakespeare's play Hamlet reveals a character who channels his insubordinate ways to seek revenge for the death of his father. As the play takes place, Hamlet is not bending to the ways of a true prince. He also doesn't act like he's next in line to the throne. Hamlet shows the reader that nonconformity can be disguised as madness and petty and insignificant rebellion. Franz Kafka's novel The Metamorphosis revolves around a "man" who adapts to his new physical state. But by conforming to his insect body, he goes against the rest of society. Kafka reveals that sometimes when one does not conform, those around the rebel can be negatively affected. Franz Kafka also transforms and challenges traditional gender roles in 20th century Europe...... middle of paper...... norms emerge and society adapts to new realities. This can result in a beneficial and necessary cycle assuming that new standards are established and some new level of compliance ensues. However, if the result is only a collapse or weakening of society, the result can become chaos. If the end result is positive, the rebel may be seen as a hero. This may be easier to do when writing fiction as in Hamlet. In other cases, such as in Gilbert's poem, it may be necessary to take the first step in denouncing the unhealthy nature of conformity and inspiring rebellion without knowing how it might ultimately manifest in society. Sandra Gilbert once said: “I'm not really interested in whether feminism will become a respectable part of academic criticism; I am very concerned about feminist critiques becoming a useful part of the women's movement. (Gilbert 464).