Laura began to model herself more and more on those around her; to grasp that the unpardonable sin is to vary from the common mould.

Nowadays, ads don't just sell a product. They sell an attitude! Look at this one! Here's a cool guy saying nobody tells him what to do. He does whatever he wants and he buys this product as a reflection of that independence. So basically, this maverick is urging everyone to express his individuality through conformity in brand-name selection?

After all, there was something rather pleasant in knowing that you were misunderstood. It made you feel different from everyone else.

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.

I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.

We must now brace ourselves for disquisitions on peer pressure, adolescent anomie, and rage.