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Since his time, and largely thanks to him, the Ego has…

“Since his time, and largely thanks to him, the Ego has steadily tended to efface itself, and, for purposes of model, to become a manikin on which the toilet of education is to be draped in order to show the fit or misfit of the clothes. The object of study is the garment, not the figure. The…” quote by Henry Adams
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““Since his time, and largely thanks to him, the Ego has steadily tended to efface itself, and, for purposes of model, to become a manikin on which the toilet of education is to be draped in order to show the fit or misfit of the clothes. The object of study is the garment, not the figure. The tailor adapts the manikin as well as the clothes to his patron's wants. The tailor's object, in this volume, is to fit young men, in universities or elsewhere, to be men of the world, equipped for any emergency ; and the garment offered to them is meant to show the faults of the patchwork fitted on their fathers.””

Henry Adams

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote critiques how education reduces individuals to mere models, focusing on fitting them into predefined roles rather than nurturing their true selves.

In simple terms: Education treats people as mannequins, emphasizing conformity over individuality.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize personal growth over fitting societal molds.

Themes

education individuality conformity identity

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • university curricula
  • career counseling
  • personal development programs
  • parental expectations
  • curriculum design

Key Concepts

socialization pedagogy identity formation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can education honor individual uniqueness?
  • What alternatives exist to the 'manikin' model?
A Different Perspective

It may overlook diverse talents and cultural contexts, limiting true potential.

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