"I was going to be a scientist"

In the quote "I was going to be a scientist" by Ben Okri, the speaker assesses a path not taken, weaving individual history with imagination's large tapestries. The phrase can be unpacked to explore styles of lost goals, identity, and the fluid nature of destiny.

Firstly, the past tense "was going to be" recommends a divergence from a once-envisioned future. It implies that eventually, ending up being a scientist was a realistic possibility or a cherished dream for the speaker, marking it as a substantial element of their individual narrative. This option might have been influenced by a fascination with the empirical world, a desire to reveal concealed realities, or a pursuit of innovation. However, life has actually seemingly navigated the speaker somewhere else, raising questions about the aspects that caused this shift-- whether it was due to individual decision, external forces, or serendipity.

Ben Okri himself, mostly called a Nigerian poet and author, often explores the intersection of truth and the mystical, infusing his deal with components of magical realism. This background recommends that while the speaker may not have pursued a clinical career, the analytical and inquisitive mindset essential to science still penetrates Okri's technique to storytelling. In literature, similar to in science, there is a quest for understanding and a requirement to explore the unknown-- albeit through various methodologies.

Additionally, this quote triggers reflection on the more comprehensive human experience in which many face unfinished aspirations. It resonates generally as an acknowledgment of those forks in the road where options are made, and paths are diverted. In some methods, walking a path aside from that of a researcher might have permitted Okri to check out human experiences and philosophical questions with a depth and imagination unconfined by the restrictions of clinical empiricism.

In essence, the quote encapsulates a poignant minute of self-questioning and approval of life's unpredictable journey, highlighting the intricate interplay between one's previous aspirations and present identity.