“We
all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing
some of our own skin.”
-Andre Berthiaume
As humans, we are constantly generating
personas in order to be accepted by society. As teenagers we can relate to this
the more than any other age group. Any sort difference in opinion, appearance,
or heritage is considered outlandish and wrong. In order to avoid isolation and
alienation we create a mask. Of course masks are the complete disguise in order
to fit into society; it could be a slight change in demeanor towards one
person. I for one change masks constantly, while not to the point where it
becomes a whole new persona, I just change my style of humor towards different
people.
There comes a time in our lives
where we grow tired of living through the guise we have created in order to
protect ourselves. However, when we reveal our true nature and our previous
beliefs were fabrications to go with the persona we are subjected to the very thing
we tried to avoid by making these masks, alienated. We are either judged by our
hidden difference or judged by the fact we hid it. The use of the mask is then
considered a treacherous act. Of course what is wrong about wearing a mask?
Without masks we would eventually
divide ourselves into smaller and smaller group due to our categorical human
nature. The masks we dawn allow us to see eye to eye and work together towards
a similar goal rather than judging each other on our each individual detail.
Nations would fall at the disappearance of masks and communities would fracture
into nothingness. While it is sad we live in such a world where we cannot work together
without some sort of conflict our ability to hide certain attributes help avoid
conflict.
The end of your response reminded me of a show on animal planet. Some animals disguise themselves to "avoid conflict." So yes, masks can be good for people and sometimes they are not. Sometimes people hide behind a mask for so long that they forget who they really are.
ReplyDeleteIn my personal opinion your' quote was well picked and very inspiring, although I felt your' overall story was interesting and very well put together with a strong message I felt that it was slightly underdeveloped. I agree that it is sad that we as a society still feel the need to hide who we are, and it is also sad that so many of us spend so long trying to hide who we are, we actually forget who we are and fall into our own facades.
ReplyDeletePeople do feel the need put on a persona in order to affiliate themseves with a certain group or society. Some feel the need to have an identity different from others. It's their way of being unique and standing out. At least this is what I think is why people put on guises. Nice topic Matt!
ReplyDeleteMight have been nice for you to include an example of you changing masks, though your extended metaphor was very well done. id like to know exactly how "we would eventually divide ourselves into smaller and smaller group..." saying its because of human nature is vague.
ReplyDeletei agree sometimes people prtend to be someone that they are not for so long that we become more of that person then we are ourselves and when we try and change to the way we are back to the way we were it will never be the same like that the fact that you get your skin pulled of so it changes you completly over and over until you are not yourself anymore.
ReplyDelete