Mill's essay on liberty is an attempt which broadens the meaning of utility and shows that individuality must be protected and nurtured?

Mills wanted to extend the meaning of utility to include the individual's right to expression and protection of rights. Rather than simply advocating for the masses Mills wanted Utilitarianism to embrace American individuality which he believed was a strong American trait. He felt that adherence to nonconformity was a symptom of the ills of Victorian society. He felt that individualism could be embraced as part of the utilitarian ideology.