"I had a tremendous horror of going into the Army. That is probably why I went to college for so long"

Bruce Conner's quote, "I had an incredible horror of entering into the Army. That is probably why I went to college for so long", reflects a complicated interplay of individual fear, social expectations, and specific option. Conner, an influential American artist understood for his work across numerous media, uses this statement to highlight a critical decision in his life-- selecting to extend his college education as a means of preventing military service.

During the time Conner would have been making these decisions, the military draft was a popular and frequently controversial concern in the United States, especially during periods of dispute like the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The draft required lots of young Americans to serve in the military, often against their will or beliefs. Conner's "tremendous scary" likely stems from an ingrained hostility to what military life entailed-- its discipline, threats, and moral ramifications. This belief was shared by lots of throughout his period, especially within the imaginative and intellectual neighborhoods that often opposed war and militarization.

His choice to stay in college for an extended period acts as both an actual and metaphorical escape. College not only offered a deferment from the draft, allowing people to postpone or avoid military service, however it likewise used a space for personal development, expedition, and the pursuit of enthusiasm. For Conner, it was a sanctuary where he could cultivate his artistic talents and live within a community more aligned with his sensibilities.

Furthermore, the quote discreetly critiques the societal structures that put him in such a predicament. It underscores the pressures dealt with by boys of his generation, where choices about education and career might be substantially influenced-- or certainly dictated-- by the looming existence of the draft. This glance into Conner's decision-making echoes more comprehensive themes of resistance, autonomy, and the frequently winding course to self-fulfillment. In extending his college years, Conner not only circumvented the military but also carved out the developmental experiences that would shape his future creative endeavors.