Final answer:
Fashion can reveal the self as a 'nought' through the convergence of social norms and personal identity, echoing Percy's ideas of a mediated experience and an obscured authentic self. Discussions in historical texts and postmodern perspectives highlight the tension between societal conformity and individual expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The notion of fashion revealing the self as a "nought" or a void can be understood through the lens of social norms and identity, drawing on Percy's perspective that personal experience can become mediated by societal expectations. This mediation can lead to a self that is shaped by, and sometimes lost within, the transient aspects of culture, such as fashion. The implication of such societal influence is that individuals may pursue external forms of identity—whether through clothing or other cultural artifacts—to the point where their authentic selves become obscured or hollowed out.
Reflecting on various historical and cultural texts, it's evident that fashion can be both an expression of personal style and a marker of social conformity. For example, Juvenal's concern regarding Creticus' dress highlights fears of a moral decline tied to deviating from Roman societal standards. Tertullian's contrast between the toga and pallium suggests the burden of the former, imposed by cultural expectations, and the ease of the latter, which could symbolize a more authentic self unencumbered by societal demands.
Moreover, postmodernism challenges grand narratives and embraces the diversity of micro-narratives, suggesting a multiplicity of identities that can make the self feel fragmented. This fragmentation, much like a fashion statement, might represent a surface level exploration of identity that may not fully encapsulate the depth and continuity of the individual's true essence—thus resonating with the idea of the self as a "nought," or an empty space waiting to be filled.