Summary Of The Jacket By Gray Soto

“The Jacket” by Gray Soto, a contrast and comparison Does clothes define who we area? Is our success in life determined by our appearance? In a recent article written in the New York Times, by Adam D. Galinsky, a professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, discussed “Enclothed cognition”. He explained “Enclothed cognition” is effects of clothing on cognitive processes” (Pavlov, Helene). In his article the author explains “people do not only think with their brain but with their bodies as well. He feels the clothes we wear has identifiable meaning attached to them” (Pavlov, Helene). The clothes we wear will affecting our behavior, self-esteem, and our self-worth. “The Jacket” by Gray Soto, is about a young boy …show more content…
And as the author of the article explained he suffers form “Enclothed Cognition”. He does not like the jacket and feels its appearance will altered his life in a negative way. The author opening line explains the young boys emotion, “[…] [M]y clothes have failed me” (249). He feels the clothes he wears has caused him difficulty. He believes a coat his mother gave him has caused his to make bad grades in school. The author of the story explains, “he is embarrassed and so hurt because of the jacket he is unable do his homework” (251). He feels this coat has caused his peers to comment about his style of dress. They mocked him for an ugly coat he has to wear. They laugh at him because of the jacket’s ridiculous appearance. In the story the boy stated, “Everyone saw me. Although they didn’t say out loud, “Man, that’s ugly,” I heard the buzz-buzz of gossip and even laughter that I knew was meant for me”(251). The reality is the coat has only caused the young boy to become self-conscious and distracted. Like the young …show more content…
Like the young boy, I was mentally distracted in some cases paranoid over the clothes I was wearing. I was more concern about looking different than I was about concentrating on school. It affected my ability to focus while at school. My ability to socialize was hindered because I felt I was not equal to all the other children. However overtime I was able to overcome my self-consciousness. Like the boy in the story my weakness became my strength. My self-conscious frustrations became my conscious strides to be equal. I learn that I was not my clothes and my clothes did not make me who I was. I learned if I was to be successful I had to develop a strong understanding of self. I worked on my self-confidence by developing a fearless mindset. I had to be taught my success was not do to my outer appearance but my ability to control my emotions. I learned my success strongly depend on my ability to build upon my values, principles, goals, and to focus on what truly motivated me. I learned to apply myself, to educate myself, and to respect who I am not who other expect me to