"I've never been resigned to ready-made ideas as I was to ready-made clothes, perhaps because although I couldn't sew, I could think"
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Jane Rule's quote, "I have actually never ever been resigned to ready-made concepts as I was to ready-made clothing, maybe due to the fact that although I couldn't stitch, I could think", provides an abundant commentary on the nature of conformity and intellectual self-reliance. At its core, the quote juxtaposes the worlds of physical accessory and psychological engagement, suggesting that while external conformity may be inevitable and even practical, internal conformity-- conformity of idea-- should be resisted.
The mention of "ready-made clothing" symbolizes social norms and expectations that are frequently embraced without question. These might be similar to off-the-rack garments, reflecting the concept that there are standardized methods of dressing, behaving, and thinking that society offers. Rule confesses to accepting these social requirements in regards to fashion, possibly due to useful restrictions or the simplicity it pays for in daily life-- she could not sew, so she adhered, to a degree, in her clothes choices.
On the other hand, "ready-made ideas" mean preconceived beliefs and viewpoints that are easily available and extensively flowed within society. Rule's rejection to be "resigned" to these ideas suggests an intense commitment to critical thinking and personal discernment. This element of the quote highlights the capability to work out autonomy over one's mind, even where external scenarios may require conformity in other locations. The emphasis on thinking, regardless of an inability to sew, underscores the inherent capacity everyone has to concern, examine, and type original ideas, irrespective of external capabilities or skills.
The distinction between clothing and ideation is also a commentary on worth. Clothing, although necessary, are shallow and external, whereas ideas form one's character and approach to life. The determination to embrace independent thought, despite its challenges, enriches the individual's ethical and intellectual fabric in a manner that transcends physical adornment. Rule's remark can thus be viewed as a call to cultivate and focus on independent idea as a method of crafting a special and genuine presence beyond societal molds.
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