John Seabrook's Essay 'My Fathers Closet'

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Do you choose what you do? Or are things such as ideals forced upon you? Growing up you are told what or how things are supposed to be done, and when and where to do them. You are constantly being bombarded by the beliefs and thoughts of others; whether that is parents or teachers, and forced to abide by their rules. In a sense it’s as if you don’t have your own identity. In his essay “My Fathers Closet”, the author John Seabrook describes his life growing up in a strict American household, and not being allowed the simple things such as watching television or even wearing t-shirts with words on them. He also talks about his father a smart well-dressed man who owned an extensive closet full of well-tailored suits and believed that a custom…show more content…
His father’s “life-is-clothes approach is what drove him to invest in even more unique suits for the rarest of occasions, for example; Seabrook’s father had the hobby of competing in four-in-hand driving in which you race four horses harnessed to a carriage. This rare hobby is what led his father to invest in some of the most unusual wardrobes such as, three-quarter length cutaway coats, striped trousers, waistcoats, and even top…show more content…
It seems that even though his father tried to force his beliefs on him about life and how to dress he still grew up to be totally independent in his views. So it would seem to me that Seabrook is saying in the essay that no matter what ideals or beliefs that are being pressed upon you, can still grow up to choose who and what you believe
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