Conform or die. In both Mark Twain's Corn-Pone Opinions and Thoreau's essay Life Without Principle it is clearly expressed that it is human nature to conform based on society's opinions and/or expectations of living life to the fullest degree. Throughout the essay, Twain shows how society conforms to the majority's view based on its locality. Furthermore, Twain states that there is first-hand opinion also known as original opinion. It is fundamentally a flaw in American society that citizens seek approval of themselves ultimately through the opinions of others. Interestingly, Twain chooses to use “we” rather than “I” when presenting his views on American society. Thoreau's essay is primarily about how people choose to live their lives working for a paycheck. Working exclusively for money is not living according to Thoreau. Furthermore, Thoreau states that Americans are slaves to the taxes and political systems that form the basis of their opinions. Thoreau also states that gossip is a waste of time and should be better spent on more important matters. Both share opinions about American society and its flaws. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayHenry David Thoreau and Mark Twain both say that society is based on opinions and expectations of doing what is considered the norm. In the Opinions, Corn-Pone Twain writes: “It is in our nature to conform: it is a force which not many can successfully resist.” It basically doesn't matter what a man must agree with society and whatever the majority rules, otherwise he will suffer. Mark Twain is clear that fashions come and go for no obvious reason. He explains this further when he states, “We are creatures of external influences; as a rule we don't think, we only imitate." Thoreau agrees: “So men will lie on their backs, speaking of the fall of man, and never make the effort to rise again.” Man is destined to repeat his defects and the present is reflected in the past. Thoreau is saying that man will repeat work for a living, no matter what, because it is the norm in society. History is destined to repeat itself, especially when it comes to man and his need for approval from civilization. The use of the pronouns I in Life Without Principle and we in Corn-pone Opinions make a clear distinction between Thoreau and the fact that Thoreau does not consider himself part of the normal American citizen. society. Whereas Twain's use of we allows us to clearly see that he too fell in love with the majority and conformity as a whole. Thoreau's Life Without Principle is an essay that examines society. An example is Thoreau's view of the payment of taxes as a slave system: "Even if we grant that the American has freed himself from a political tyrant, he is still the slave of an economic and moral tyrant." Thoreau does not want to be part of this society. He distances himself both in his lifestyle and in the way he writes about Americans. Both have clear statements that throughout civilization man has had a tendency to gossip and not express real opinions, only those that have already been thought by others. Thoreau writes, “It is important to preserve chastity of mind in this respect.” Basically gossip is the dangerous part of interacting with society. Man's thoughts are never profound but based solely on the knowledge acquired from others. Again Thoreau writes: “Just as empty and ineffectual, for the most part, is ours