In Jonathan Lethem's "Dissident Gardens," the concept of conformity and the loss of individuality is explored. The narrative suggests that people often surrender their independent thoughts, becoming mere extensions of political ideologies or groupthink. This metaphor of "drones" highlights how societal pressures can suppress unique voices and critical thinking, leading individuals to become unthinking adherents to party lines. This critique of collective identity reflects broader themes of social and political engagement, where personal beliefs are overshadowed by the dominant narratives of political factions. Lethem examines the tension between personal conviction and communal expectations, portraying a struggle that resonates with many who feel caught between their beliefs and the pressures to conform to a larger ideological framework.

In Jonathan Lethem's "Dissident Gardens," the concept of conformity and the loss of individuality is explored. The narrative suggests that people often surrender their independent thoughts, becoming mere extensions of political ideologies or groupthink. This metaphor of "drones" highlights how societal pressures can suppress unique voices and critical thinking, leading individuals to become unthinking adherents to party lines.

This critique of collective identity reflects broader themes of social and political engagement, where personal beliefs are overshadowed by the dominant narratives of political factions. Lethem examines the tension between personal conviction and communal expectations, portraying a struggle that resonates with many who feel caught between their beliefs and the pressures to conform to a larger ideological framework.