Metaphors are often used to clarify and enrich an individual’s understanding of a topic, perhaps by providing previous knowledge to understand a new concept better or illustrate a need for social change. I could say, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” to emphasize how heavily it is raining, utilizing the size of cats and dogs to highlight the rain’s heaviness. In the novel, On Immunity, Eula Biss uses the metaphor of herds and hives to represent one’s role and the degree of immunity in a population. Using a voice as a metaphor for voting demonstrates the essentialness of voting especially regarding issues and candidates that specifically affect us. The use of herds and hives in representing immunity in a population as seen in On Immunity by Eula
Biss and the metaphor, “Your vote is your voice”, demonstrate the impact of one’s individual opinions and actions on affecting an entire community’s way of life.

Eula Biss decides to represent how one views immunity and its phenomenon through herds and hives. Herd immunity is the idea that “vaccinating only part of a population” (Biss 20) or that many people “acquired natural immunity from infection during an epidemic” (Biss 20) provides a large impact in stopping the epidemic. These direct and indirect modes of protection create lulls in widespread disease and decrease the number of infections, a phenomenon that comes from seeing oneself as just part of a group. Thus the idea of using herds as a metaphor has been critiqued since we often view ourselves as individuals instead of just part of one large group. If one considers their body as “inherently disconnected from bodies” (Biss 20) they would not tend to associate themself with an imitative crowd, without the chance of individualism. Thus one would believe that the health of others would not affect us as long as one maintains healthy habits. Shifting from the herd metaphor, where cows are considered foolish, to a hive metaphor where honeybees are considered, “matriarchal, environmental do-gooders” (Biss 21) and “entirely interdependent” (Biss 21), our concept of shared immunity is shed in a more positive light. With our “disconnected body” ideology, one tends to gravitate to “hive immunity” as it demonstrates our actions affecting the community’s health. Thus one’s individualism is maintained while illustrating the importance of interdependence and cooperation in a population. Hence the use of the herd and hive metaphor garner contrasting results in representing one’s role in the collective immunity of the population.

When reflecting on how our individual choices impact society, voting comes into mind, especially the metaphor, “Your vote is your voice”. Many may say that your vote is not worth much and thus wouldn’t be an effective voice in addressing issues that affect your daily life. For example, in the United States presidential election, many would scorn voting for a third-party candidate, voting for a Democrat candidate in a red state, or voting for a Republican candidate in a blue state. Succumbing to this groupthink mindset often discourages individuals from voting especially if their beliefs differ from the general public opinion. Thus many feel like they are part
of one large group that lacks varied perspectives and stances, where individuality is quickly put down. However, one could think of voting similar to how one feels about hive immunity. By voting, an individual opinion has more of an effect than one realizes. There have been many instances where candidates were elected just from a few votes from Chris Eachus winning the representative position for New York’s 99th State District Assembly by eight votes in 2022 (Gross) to George I. Wiggins winning the New Hampshire senator position by a singular vote in 1982 (New Hampshire Public Radio). Thus our votes hold much more power than we realize
especially in close election races. The U.S. presidential election system utilizes direct and indirect voting methods: the general election and the Electoral College system. These voting methods are interdependent as the general election influences the Electoral College system results. The general election is held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Each state’s polling results decide which presidential candidate wins the state and its electoral votes. The number of electoral votes for a state is the state’s number of house representatives plus its two senators (National Archives). Whichever presidential candidate wins the statewide popular vote, generally wins all that state’s electoral votes (USA.gov). This means that states with smaller populations have much more voting power by implementing the Electoral College system instead of just using a popular vote system. Therefore, it is possible to win the election and lose the popular vote as seen in the 2000 and 2016 elections with the victory of George W. Bush and Donald Trump respectively (USA.gov). Consequently, one doesn’t need to conform to the general popular opinion to impact one’s community and can retain individuality with the complementary voting systems implemented for elections. Thus your vote is an
instrumental voice in deciding a community’s policies and future.

The heard and hive immunity metaphor and the “Your vote is your voice” metaphor
provide different outlets on how one can view their role and impact on society. The demeaning effects of groupthink are seen through the idea of herd immunity and questioning the value of one’s vote, therefore creating a sense of despair for the lack of individuality. However, the ideas of hive immunity and seeing the true power in one’s vote provide a shift in perspective, thus invigorating us to be productive, impactful members of society. Consequently, it is up to each individual to decide what pathway they would take in making effectual progress within a society.

Works Cited

Biss, Eula. On Immunity : An Innoculation. Fitzcarraldo Editions, 2015, pp. 20-21.
Gross, Hank. “Eachus Squeaks by with Assembly Win – Mid Hudson News.” Mid Hudson News, 23 Dec. 2022, midhudsonnews.com/2022/12/23/eachus-squeaks-by-with-assembly-win/.
National Archives. “What Is the Electoral College?” National Archives, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 6 July 2023,
www.archives.gov/electoral-college/about.
New Hampshire Public Radio. “1982 State Senator General Election.” Nh.electionstats.com, 1983, nh.electionstats.com/elections/view/61620/.
USA.gov. “Electoral College | USAGov.” Www.usa.gov, 27 Sept. 2023,
www.usa.gov/electoral-college.