Obedience is sought by both sides in That Hideous Strength. For Mark Studdock, the desire to be accepted and brought in to the inner circle—any inner circle—is a drive that forces him into obedience to the N.I.C.E. Mark sees many of the red flags of the Institute, including the Institute’s desire to cull the population, control the press and reeducate humankind. Mark doesn’t attach morality to these actions, at least not in the beginning, for two reasons. The first is that he understands these actions as a sociologist. The second reason, however, is that Mark wants to be liked and accepted. He pledges allegiance, and thus obedience, to the nefarious edicts of the N.I.C.E. so that he can improve his social standing at the Institute. For Mark, obedience is a means to an end.

When he’s faced with death, however, and when Jane herself is threatened, he begins to realize what his obedience to the N.I.C.E. has (and might still) cost him. He reflects on his life and realizes that, from childhood, he has always wanted to be accepted into a social group, especially a popular and powerful one. He’s left friends and family behind for this goal.