The Conformity of Capitalism: Analyzing Jon in Persuasion Nation

Jon In Persuasion Nation Analysis

George Saunders’ “Jon” is a short story that appears in his collection Persuasion Nation. The story revolves around the character of Jon, who is a college student that is working part-time as an “Ethical Person” for the “Inner Horner” corporation. Through Jon’s character, the author critiques the modern-day society’s obsession with capitalism and how it affects people’s morality and sense of identity. Saunders highlights the negative consequences of corporate culture on individuality and morality through the character of Jon. This essay will analyze Jon’s character and the themes of the story, such as capitalism, conformity, and identity.

The story opens with Jon introducing himself and his job as an “Ethical Person” at Inner Horner. The role of an “Ethical Person” is to discourage the corporation’s clients from unethical behaviors such as smoking, excessive eating, and the use of products that are not eco-friendly. Jon’s job is critical to the corporation since the company’s survival depends on clients’ perception of the Inner Horner as an ethical company. This emphasis on ethics and morality places immense pressure on Jon, who is only trying to make ends meet as a college student. Jon’s predicament illustrates a society where value is placed on corporations’ image and not on individuals’ well-being.

The portrayal of Inner Horner Corporation’s behavior provides insight into the corporations’ role in society. The corporation appears as a controlling entity that seeks to manipulate people’s behavior for commercial purposes. This control extends to the language the employees use in their conversations. Jon notes that the “code” is fun, and that the absurdity of the “code” highlights the absurdity of the corporations’ behavior. The use of the “code” is an attempt to create a sense of belongingness among the employees, despite their differences. The use of language indicates that the corporation is attempting to mold individuality, turning everyone into one corpus.

Saunders depicts a society where individuality is subjugated to the needs of the corporation, leading to groupthink and conformity. Jon speaks the “code” language fluently, and this indicates that the language has become part of his identity. The use of the “code” shows how the corporation’s culture has become part of the employee’s personality, undermining their uniqueness. Jon is aware of this conformist nature, which is why he rebels against the corporation, hence the underlying themes of the story.

The story also highlights the negative effects of capitalism on individuals’ sense of identity. The pressure to succeed in a capitalistic society often leads people down the path of bad decision making. Jon is aware of the negative effects of Inner Horner’s influence on his life, yet he continues to work there as he tries to make ends meet. Jon’s desire to belong within a capitalistic society leads him to discard his identity in favor of the corporation’s ideals. The corporation becomes his new identity, and he becomes the corporation.

The author’s use of humor in the story balances the weighty subject matter. Humor is an effective tool for defying societal norms and challenging people’s preconceived notions of traditional social norms. Saunders’ humorous portrayal of Jon and his situation provides the reader with an enjoyable read, despite the serious nature of the themes.

In conclusion, Saunders’ “Jon” is a commentary of the impact of corporate culture on modern society. Through Jon’s character’s story, the story elucidates the corruption of individuals and society as a result of capitalism. The use of absurd humor underlines the surrealism of society in general. By presenting an “ethical” corporation that frequently violates the principles it purports to espouse, the author exposes the insincerity of capitalism. The story is an excellent critique of the ills of capitalism on society, and an insightful reminder of the importance of individuality and morality.