Thoreau says it is an interesting question "how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes."Why do people need to tell others their rank simply by thier clothing? Do ideas such wearing uniforms help curtail some of the snobbery? (RESPONSE MUST BE MINIMUM OF 16 SENTENCES- SHORT ISN'T ALWAYS MOST EFFECTIVE)
Clothing is a form of self-identity. It has always been a part of society to wear a certain uniform to indicate social status, gender, age, or personal preference. Identifying class rank through clothing is important to us as humans because it is part of our first-impressions. For example, a man in a business suit can be assumed to work in an office, and a teenager wearing a sweater vest with an embroidered cross is likely to attend a Catholic high school. It is also important to identify one's rank because others may look to that person with respect. Back to the people in my previous example: the businessman may be thought of as a respectable man who is making a good living for himself, while the Catholic-school student can be seen as well-educated with a promising future. However, the idea of having specific styles of dress can create unfriendly boundaries and stereotypes. That same Catholic student may have a snobbish attitude and believe that public school is inferior, as well as anyone who attends public school. Her bias may come in part from the fancy, sophisticated uniform she so proudly wears every day. Since uniforms identify groups as a whole, they can also create feelings of ostracism in those who do not wear them. Thoreau makes an interesting statement about farmers he knows who go out of their means to have "nice" or "acceptable" clothing, so as to avoid criticism from not only their peers but people of higher ranks, who they see as their superiors. This is still essential today because people of all ages, teens and adults alike, still feel obligated to dress to impress. Teens fret about having fashionable garments to show off to friends at school, while adults compete to have the better-quality suit for work. For both, anyone who wears "different" clothing or does not care either way, is looked down upon to some extent, such as Thoreau was for having only the garments he would need to stay warm and cover his nakedness. In short, I believe the idea of uniforms adds to the snobbery of those who wear them. Whoever adheres to the dress code is their equal, and anyone who does not is unacceptable and inferior. Is it upsetting? Yes, but only to the ones on the shorter end of the stick.
ReplyDeleteThoreau's remark shows that people in his time were uniformed which wearing certain clothing. This suggests that the upperclass could instate a sort of "brand" for the lower class. The fact that people were required to wear specific styles of clothing shows an aspect of snobbery because, those who can afford the expenses of high class clothing would look down upon those who wore inferior types due to thesegregation of the classes. the phrase "snobbery" came into existance due to the fact that finances and type of work you did. For example, if a farmer earns minimal wage and wears torn up overalls with a half-torn shirt and worn out boots this indicates his status, but if a aristocrate type character were to wear a pressed suit, tie, and polished shoes this would indicate that this person has the money to pay for such luxury clothing unlike the farmer.
ReplyDeleteClothing is a type of identity that is used to show off how much money they have or what their social ranking is. People using different forms of clothing such as suits, dresses, even brand names as something to show just how wealthy they are. For instance, in the time era in which Thoreau lived in people wore fine clothing as a type mark which showed how wealthy they were if they were poor peasants they had holes and patches in their trousers. However if they wore clothing that had excellent material and was neatly pressed they showed higher social status and receieved more respect from people. People need to tell others their ranking to show how much themy have and prove to other people that they have more wealth than the next person. For instance, if one student wears a high priced outfit to school and another student wears a cheaper version of that outfit the student that wears the cheaper version is considered poor and dirty where the other student is considered wealthy. Ideas such as wearing uniforms do change some of the snobbery because if everyone is dressed the same way then no one can judge another and therefore everyone seems as if they are in the same social ranking.
ReplyDeleteThe types of clothing we wear essentially define us, as a person in society in relation to social status. The rich wear fancy clothing to render any confusion with the comparison to poorer people; simply because they earn more money than the poor. Poorer people cannot afford the fancy clothing so they resolute to fabric has been downgraded. Being engulfed in fabric of better quality shows how importance our jobs that we spend effortless time at and the quantity of our paychecks. The idea of well dressed people is ideal because one gets the sense that they have their priorities straight; people would be more likely drawn to people in this position. Often time people shy away from others that dress with less care and social acceptance; they feel that they will be looked at in the same way. Think of it in relation to the garments that Kings and Queens wore, compared to the scraggly clothing of the Slaves/ Serfs. They received/ wore better garments because of their social standing. Essentially the quality and quantity of our clothing serves as a border. A line that divides humans into groups depending on the impression that our clothing gives off.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of uniforms are to eliminate distinction between people.It ultimately allows individuals to be more comfortable with what their wearing without being judged. Since everyone is required to dress a certain way, then clothing discrimination decreases. Its effective because people are less compelled to discriminate against others if they look like and is dressed the same way as them.
In life people try and find ways to express themselves and clothing is a way that most people do now. What you wear shouldnt be able to define who you are but people believe this and use it as a rank in society. If a man wearing a nice suit put together well with a shirt and tie and dress shoes walks in for an interview, the first thing the interviewer would think is that he looks like a man whos ready to get down to bussiness. If a man wearing a tee-shirt and slacks with dress shoes walks in for the same job the interviewer wouldnt look upon him as highly as he or she did to the other man; little does he or she know the second guy who walked in has graduated with a PhD from collegeand is well equipped for the job unlike the first guy who just gradauated high school but has money since his family struck oil. Also telling you rank by clothing shows people your finacial status most of the time. Some people use it in this case to flash off their job, find love or even brag.
ReplyDeleteThe ideas of uniform does help curtail some of the snobbery. At a school that enforces a uniform policy everyone looks the same so no one could really be judged. Uniform helps keep the idea of ranking out of school since were all dressed alike. Though everynow and then you can still see ranking by the accersoires worn with uniform, it keeps the student body intact. Also, helps prevent bullying. People get picked on for how they look, speack, act, and what they wear so not knowing the difference since students are all in the same clothing helps in that case as well.
Dressing up is something most take for granted, but there are actually several reasons why people wear clothes. For modern societies its primary function is to cover certain body parts. It’s a fact though, that primitive societies don’t consider this a necessity. Aside from modesty issues, the need to look beautiful was and is another motivation. This really isn’t new. Even during ancient times, dresses were used to enhance one’s appearance. During the Middle Ages in Europe, balls and parties were held by royals just to show their latest dresses and costumes.Another reason is to allow people to know what they do. Nurses, soldiers and cops wear distinct uniforms. This makes identification easier. This also applies to people in other lines of work.There are many other reasons why people wear clothes. You may have other reasons for wearing them. But the one fact is that they are here to stay, albeit in ever changing forms and styles.
ReplyDeleteA school uniform makes it easier for the school authorities to recognize students belonging to their school. Authorities can also make out if someone doesn't belong to a school, if someone just manages to sneak in; unless, of course, they go through all the trouble of buying a uniform that fits!A school uniform also saves the school administrators from having to 'police' what the students wear. There are no daily battles regarding what's appropriate to wear or not for school. A school uniform apparently also saves students from putting their fashion tastes before their learning requirements. When they don't have to spend time wondering what to wear and how to make a fashion statement, they can devote more time to getting educated. This in turn, lifts their academic performance.Wearing the same type of dress reduces social snobbery and peer pressure in educational institutions. It is also supposed to reduce incidents of bullying and theft. How do you pick on someone for wearing the same dress as yourself? Why would you steal a pair of shoes you both have and can afford? Thus there are fewer arguments, and following a dress code plays more of a balancing act. School uniforms cramp the style of gang members. They have to recognize each other by names and faces instead of flaunting aggressively painted jackets, T-shirts with obscene messages, clunky jewelry, and things like that. Instead of 'my gang' and 'your gang', they also have to think in terms of 'our school'. It's a hard life. On the brighter side, it helps them to live another day and go on to survive in college. A school uniform can instill a sense of discipline and community feeling. This naturally reduces incidents of violence. Students can come to school without worrying about personal safety. Teachers don't have to double as guards, and can concentrate on teaching.By wearing a uniform dress code, students can find other means to showcase their creativeness.At a very young age, school uniforms instill the spirit of teamwork and one feels proud to be a part of a school, if he/she represents the school for any occasion.Most importantly, uniforms are cost-efficient, as parents do not have to spend on clothes for their children, thus benefitting them.
_Aphnie
Some people may think clothing is just something you wear to cover your body. Even though that is true, clothing determines what people do for a living and their wealthiness. For example, when you see someone in a shrub you automatically assume that they are in the medical field. In Thoreau's time, people who are poor may not have enough money to even buy clothes so they may have rags to cover themselves up. However, people who are rich have all of the luxurious things.
ReplyDeleteUniform doesn't exactly curtail snobbery because everyone is wearing the same clothes. I think snobbery comes from those who try to disobey the uniform code because they think they are "too good" for the uniform. When people accessorize their uniform then that is a different story because they are showing their individuality. However, when someone just doesn't wear the uniform, they are purposely trying to get attention and trying to show the authorities that they are more surprior. Unless there is an emergency then there should be no need to disobey the uniform rules.
Clothing is one one of the many ways that people express their style. By wearing your own unique clothing, you show people what type of person you are. Of course, some people are influenced by the majority of what others are wearing, which is known as fads. For example, people who sag are typically viewed as gang bangers, while wearing a suit can been showed that you are involved with business. No matter who you are, clothing will always be able to reflect the type of person you are.
ReplyDeleteUniforms are made to reduce individuality within a group. By wearing uniforms, it lowers discrimination against others for the way they dress. Instead of recognizing someone for their flashy name brand jackets or expensive sneakers, uniforms allow us to not be limited to stereotypes that society has showed us through media. This is especially effective for those who aren't fortunate enough to afford what is consider "cool" or "fashionable" to the public eye. Instead of wondering what type of clothing you could wear to impress others, more time can be spent on other things. Doing work, studying, or taking on a hobby are just a few of the many things that can be done with this extra time. Uniforms are also more cost efficient, as name brand clothes these days are just too expensive. By buying uniforms, parents benefit b saving money, which can be used for more important matters. Wearing uniforms also show that you are apart of a group. Being apart of a group encourages teamwork and positive behavior between others. Although uniforms limit how we express ourselves, they are for the better. With uniforms, society can stop viewing others with stereotypes and instead look at others by their personality.-Shaun
clothing has been giving much value...
ReplyDeletemore than simply surving.
Not everyone tell other people their rank by their clothes. The ones who do have money (like wealthy..like to be dressed in the best designer clothes not the regular namebrand.They do it to make the,selves seem important and want people to be jeally. "The people highest up has the lowest self esttem." Again they want prople to be jeally and desire the clothes they have. They feel superior s if they are the only pnes who can affod certain things.When you are superios you are on top it makes the the qualfiers have a big ego knowing they got it like that.
People have individual style and taste.
We like to express ourselves and personality and show people who we are.Wearing uniform does not curtail some of the snobbery, it encourages it actually. For examlple,at OHS we have uniform and at one point they were strict about it. Don't students still show their style? Some students even rebel and become more upfront about their individuality instead of sublte. Snobbery will continue to exist with or without uniform because some people are just snobs. Uniforms won't solve the problem of why some people are like that.
-Biancia-
sorry i spelled words wrong and punctuatuion..laptop eating words
ReplyDelete-Biancia-
The type of clothing a person wears makes up that person's style, not identity. The clothes that people wear is much related to an author's writing style. When someone writes in an interrogation tone, we know that the person has many different questions. Identity is not something as simple as the 'social rank' of a person, but is more complex as who the person is, and the type of personality they have. Pertaining to writing style, if the author is in fact someone with many questions, the reader cannot infer from one simple question if that person is asking rhetorically, or hypothetically. Pertaining to today's society, you are ranked through the type of clothing you wear, however one cannot tell the type of mood that person is in, or their personality.
ReplyDeleteSome people feel the need to judge others because of self insecurities, as well as a human instinct. This snobbery cannot be curtailed through uniforms because if you are not judged, or ranked through your clothes, it's through your hair, shoes, nails, glasses, etc. Wearing the same type of clothing only adds to the snobbery. People will begin to look for other ways to get under your skin. They rank the car you drive, the house you live in, the school, or job you attend, and more. There will be competitions between which way uniforms should or should not be like. This will begin new self insecurities as fast as a common cold spreads. People will be self-conscience about the size of their pants, the size of their shirts; the size of their body in all. People would worry about the color of their uniforms, or the smell of it, if it is not cleaned the proper way because of financial situations. In conclusion, social ranking through clothing is only possible because of the instinct some people have, one that subjects them to judge others naturally. Uniforms does not curtail this instinct, it only adds to social problems which are in today's time period.
clothes are a form of self-expression. They display wealth, importance,rank in society and in some cases hardship and age.They have the ability to give glimpses into one's personality, culture, and/or religion. They shun and accept. Perhaps people flaunt their "clothing" because people wouldn't pay attention to them otherwise.How would anyone know that you were rich and successful if you didn't dress accordingly? What would be the point? There would be no distinction between the rich and poor, educated and ignorant, the powerful and unimportant. If people didn't dress according to their rank, there wouldn't be any contrast between anyone... and of course we humans have an inherent need do dominate, to feel and be superior to others, to flaunt and exhibit our authority.
ReplyDeleteHowever, uniform conforms and does NOT curtail snobbery. It just stifles creativity and identity. In fact, uniform just gives people more reason to be more snobbish than they already are. They'll find something to hate, something that will elevate their status and crown them as king/queen. I mean, that's just human beings.
When people dress up, they feel some sense of assurance and class. They feel as if they are high class like a king or queen. If people were to present themselves to others in a poor quality type of clothing then they would feel out of place and inferior to others. Before people use to wear clothes just to stay warm in cold weather but once confronted by royalty they feel as if they should dress up like them too which makes people now a days stuck up and "fashionable". Everyone wears their clothes differently so yes i think it curtails some of the snobbery. They feel that they should wear it better to stand out from the people of their society. If people were not curtailing some snobbery, then why would everyone wear different colors and styles? Basically, everyone want to fit in and feel accepted like everyone else by wearing similar styles as their fellow neighbors.
ReplyDeleteUsually, in strict or power-controlled societies, certain garments can pertain to a man's rank in his town or society. A major theme in Walden is simplicity and clothing counteracts with it; although it can be assumed a man wearing a suit is going to work, it could possibly be a facade. Personally, clothes are nothing but fabric and cotton woven together to shield my genitals. A man, however, would feel much better if he were to attend work in a big, flashy suit compared to slacks and a polo shirt. I guess it roots down to a rich man expressing how he is different and essentially, above middle class and lower class. Their clothes exploits who they are, and if divested from them, they compare to the common folk. I think clothes are materialistic because overpriced and meager quality clothing are ways to show how rich a person is, verifying their social status. This contributes to the theme of simplicity because everyone should be treated as equal, yet it cannot be accomplished in the materialistic and capitalistic world we live in.
ReplyDeleteClothing is a way for self expression.Thoreau states in 'Walden'how people are judge upon what they wear.It would be like judging the book by its cover.Many people living in today's society tend to view someone who is well put together as independent because they stand out,or someone we associate with on a daily basis from school or public places as either rich,or classy or even someone with swag.This segregate them from someone who does not have high expectations of being classified as one of those people who are high-ranked.When a person dress for success,they have that drive and initiative to look like a well rounded person,with a successful future.I think that if a person is dressed in a suit or a business attire that the people around would take them seriously,than a person who dresses casual.A person who is well rounded from their personality to their physical appearance,would be ranked simply by their clothing even though what you see might not be so.
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