When I ask for a garment of a particular form, my…
““When I ask for a garment of a particular form, my tailoress tells me gravely, "They do not make them so now," not emphasizing the "They" at all, as if she quoted an authority as impersonal as the Fates, and I find it difficult to get made what I want, simply because she cannot believe that I mean what I say, that I am so rash. When I hear this oracular sentence, I am for a moment absorbed in thought, emphasizing to myself each word separately that I may come at the meaning of it, that I may find out by what degree of consanguinity They are related to me, and what authority they may have in an affair which affects me so nearly; and, finally, I am inclined to answer her with equal mystery, and without any more emphasis of the "they"—"It is true, they did not make them so recently, but they do now." Of what use this measuring of me if she does not measure my character, but only the breadth of my shoulders, as it were a peg to bang the coat on?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The tailor’s refusal reflects how authority and tradition can hinder personal expression and needs.
In simple terms: Authority can block personal desires.
Key Takeaway
Challenge assumptions and seek clarity.
Themes
authority
communication
individualism
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- fashion design
- personal negotiations
- creative projects
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
social dynamics
language
perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance respect for expertise with personal agency?
- When should we question traditional authority?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex social interactions.