As I read Renaissance Self Fashioning, I related it many other aspects of life. Self fashioning is defined as, “the process of constructing one's identity and public persona according to a set of socially acceptable standards.” This definition can be applied in many different contexts, not just the one that Greenblatt describes.
For many, self fashioning means wearing the “right’ clothes, speaking the “right’ way, and surrounding yourself with the “right” people. They do all of these things to change the way others look at them rather than how they truly want to be. They think their image is what is important and that it will help bring success. At Galloway, students are encouraged to be what they want to be. For that very reason, there is no dress code. When you walk in the door, it’s clear that students express themselves through their clothing. Students do not have to conform with social norms. Some students chose to dress up each day while others seem to roll out of bed and come to school. Their clothing choices do not make a difference in how teachers and students treat each other. Galloway prides itself on individuality and inspires students to be fearless and confident. When I visited Barcelona this summer, I noticed the architecture of the city. Most buildings looked very similar, but there were a few that stood out. These buildings were all built by Gaudi. He was true to himself and his architecture showed that. Rather than designing with a traditional approach, Gaudi’s buildings were colorful and made from a variety of materials including colorful tile, stone, ceramics, glass, and bricks. His buildings seemed seemed almost whimsical and out of a fairy tale. He did not conform to the norms, and many in the city were surprised by his choices. Because of this, he will forever be known as one of the most influential and important architects of his time. To this day it’s clear that many people are still intrigued by his work. Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà are just a few of his unique buildings. His most impressive work however was Sagrada Familia. Thousands of visitors tour this building every year to see this very unique and detailed architecture. Every inch of the building seems to tell a story. Gaudi showed us that it is important to be true to yourself and it will pay off in the long run. Self Fashioning also seems to be an important part of the political world that we currently live in. Donald Trump is pretending to be a Republican but his views are nothing but his own. In his speeches, he tells the world the great things he is going to do for this country, but we see no action. Trump is living proof that self fashioning seems to only have a negative affect on people. Until the 2016 election, politics were based on truth and reliability. As a voter, you choose the candidate you believe you can count on. Millions of people believed Trump would “Make America Great Again,” (me not being one). Trump was putting on a show for the American people and whatever they wanted, he would “make sure to do in office.” By the time he was elected though, his “self fashioning” had disappeared, and the world finally met the real (terrible) Donald Trump. “Try to build yourself up and you build a ruin.”
0 Comments
|
Archives |