Mark My Words. Maybe. by Leslie Jamison encompasses the relationship between tattoos and one’s identity and how a tattoo can be a meaningful way to “mark a new era” (Jamison 458). This piece demonstrates how Jamison confidently got her tattoo reading: “I am human: nothing human is alien to me,” but over the course of the story, she realizes what the tattoo really means to her.
Many people tell their stories and express their individuality through the permanence of tattoos. The story describes the seemingly long process of getting her tattoo and what it meant to her, and also what it meant to other people. People can express themselves in other ways without permanently inscribing pictures and sayings on their bodies while still displaying their …show more content…
This grabbed my attention in a negative way. The way Jamison framed this sentence screams selfishness: these weddings inconveniently take place when she wants a tattoo. In my opinion, a wedding is the most important day of one’s life. The day of a wedding should be all about the married couple, not about a bridesmaid who wants a tattoo. Jamison even stated that she “...felt the slightest twinge of resentment” (Jamison 458). Against a bride? On her wedding day? Unacceptable.
Jamison decided to get the tattoo after breaking up with her boyfriend of four years to represent her independence. An event like this does not justify getting a tattoo. People make up excuses for getting tattoos, whether it be an eighteenth birthday present or a favorite quote, which is foolish. I do not think that people understand how permanent a tattoo really is. Jamison even said that she “branded” herself with this tattoo, to symbolize her freedom from her ex-boyfriend. This word is full of negative, unpleasant emotion, and it baffles me why anyone would want to be “branded” at …show more content…
I have a multitude of favorite one-liners, song lyrics, and quotes that I recite on a daily basis that have stuck with me because of their humor and the way I can relate to them. However, these favorite words do not need to be tattooed on one’s body, as these favorites can change so easily. My favorite quote is not currently the same as my favorite quote at age eight, and my favorite quote will be different in twenty years. That is the beauty of being human and gaining new experience. Jamison also details the fact that she “...found [herself] explaining the tattoo to a parade of strangers and acquaintances” (Jamison 458). That defeats the purpose of getting the tattoo. When I see a tattoo, I want to be able to immediately identify the quote or the symbol. Having to explain the tattoo takes away from its meaning and overall effect. A tattoo should not be confusing or need justification from its
Many people tell their stories and express their individuality through the permanence of tattoos. The story describes the seemingly long process of getting her tattoo and what it meant to her, and also what it meant to other people. People can express themselves in other ways without permanently inscribing pictures and sayings on their bodies while still displaying their …show more content…
This grabbed my attention in a negative way. The way Jamison framed this sentence screams selfishness: these weddings inconveniently take place when she wants a tattoo. In my opinion, a wedding is the most important day of one’s life. The day of a wedding should be all about the married couple, not about a bridesmaid who wants a tattoo. Jamison even stated that she “...felt the slightest twinge of resentment” (Jamison 458). Against a bride? On her wedding day? Unacceptable.
Jamison decided to get the tattoo after breaking up with her boyfriend of four years to represent her independence. An event like this does not justify getting a tattoo. People make up excuses for getting tattoos, whether it be an eighteenth birthday present or a favorite quote, which is foolish. I do not think that people understand how permanent a tattoo really is. Jamison even said that she “branded” herself with this tattoo, to symbolize her freedom from her ex-boyfriend. This word is full of negative, unpleasant emotion, and it baffles me why anyone would want to be “branded” at …show more content…
I have a multitude of favorite one-liners, song lyrics, and quotes that I recite on a daily basis that have stuck with me because of their humor and the way I can relate to them. However, these favorite words do not need to be tattooed on one’s body, as these favorites can change so easily. My favorite quote is not currently the same as my favorite quote at age eight, and my favorite quote will be different in twenty years. That is the beauty of being human and gaining new experience. Jamison also details the fact that she “...found [herself] explaining the tattoo to a parade of strangers and acquaintances” (Jamison 458). That defeats the purpose of getting the tattoo. When I see a tattoo, I want to be able to immediately identify the quote or the symbol. Having to explain the tattoo takes away from its meaning and overall effect. A tattoo should not be confusing or need justification from its