Analysis of Self: Introvert as a Concept - English 1010

This essay, written for an English Composition I course, delves into the author's personal understanding of introversion. It begins with the dictionary definition and explores the author's experiences, highlighting the difference between solitude and loneliness, and comparing introversion with extroversion and ambiversion. The author shares how reading Anne Frank's diary helped them understand their introverted nature and emphasizes the importance of introspection. The essay includes personal anecdotes, such as the author's favorite pastimes and a meaningful conversation with a fellow introvert, reinforcing the author's comfort with their identity and challenging generalizations about introverts. The conclusion reinforces the author's self-acceptance and the importance of individuality, cautioning against limiting self-expression through rigid personality classifications.

Running Head: ESSAY ON ANALYSIS OF THE SELF "INTROVERT AS A CONCEPT"
Essay on analysis of the self "introvert as a concept"
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ESSAY ON ANALYSIS OF THE SELF "INTROVERT AS A CONCEPT”
The idea of applying concepts or labels on people is not something very unique. In the
present day society, we all tend to label each other, and even ourselves from some
stereotypical ideas that are gathered from experience or by repeated practice. In the similar
light, I have understood my personality to be introverted. Hence, in this essay I shall discuss
how gradually with age I had better understanding of what being an introvert meant and the
process of being happy with myself being an introvert.
The word “introvert” is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “a quiet person
who is more interested in their own thoughts and feelings than in spending time with other
people” (oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com). Apart from the dictionary meaning, being an
introvert for me means to be contented in my own company. Socialising is something that we
introverts rarely do, and also on a very selective manner. Introverts tend to be quiet, no doubt
about it, however, we love to talk when we have the right company. Mostly we tend to look
forward to having meaningful conversations which help to build relationships and make us
better individuals. Being an introvert, there is nothing better than getting the apartment to
myself when I can lay down, read a book, listen to music and be happy in my solitude.
Nevertheless, many times it becomes difficult to differentiate between solitude and
loneliness. Mostly they are two closely related for a clear demarcation.
Introverts are mostly compared with extroverts who are known to be outgoing and
friendly with anyone and everyone. In the similar light, the comparison somehow moves
towards categorising which personality is better and more favourable than others. I personally
do not like to agree that introverts are better than extroverts or vice-versa. This is mostly
because each personality has its own characteristic traits and drawbacks. Being an introvert,
socialising in situations when it is actually needed becomes problematic for me. In such times
I wonder how the extroverts speak public without any effort or make friends with random
people at such ease.

2ESSAY ON ANALYSIS OF THE SELF "INTROVERT AS A CONCEPT”
Examples of being an introvert are way too many if considered such as you may find
them in cafes, sitting in a corner with a cup of coffee and a book, or in a library lost in their
own little world, or in a museum walking from section to section with a sense of awe on the
face.
The classification although is usually seen to be two-fold, there is another personality
kind that lies in between introverts and extroverts, they are known as ambiverts. Ambiverts
are probably those people who have the best of the both worlds. They can be in a large group
of people and not feel overwhelmed, or be happy and contented in their own company.
As per the dictionary, the synonyms of introverts are somewhat overwhelming to be
as each of these provide different dimensions which again are not always true and results in
gross generalization. Words such as backward, bashful, coy, demure, diffident, modest,
recessive, retiring, self-effacing, sheepish, shy, withdrawn are regarded as synonyms of
introverted.
If looked at from the negation approach, many find introverts to be unfavourable and
hostile people who hate the company of fellow social beings. From then name of the
approach itself, it is evident that negative approach only focuses on the self-assumed or self-
constructed ideas about various concepts.
In order to understand how I discovered that I am an introvert, I would have to go
back to the days of middle school English classes. As a part of our course syllabus, we had to
read a chapter from Anne Frank’s Diary which later ended up changing my life altogether. I
was so overwhelmed and curious about the rest of the pages of the diary that I got my hands
on the book and read it voraciously. In that process it realised that I am not weird, or it is
completely normal not to find large groups of people very alluring, or make bunch of friends
in school. With Anne, I learned to be comfortable in my own skin. As I grew older, I

3ESSAY ON ANALYSIS OF THE SELF "INTROVERT AS A CONCEPT”
discovered that being an introvert requires many aspects such as having the power of
contemplation, and introspection.
Another example of understanding that I am an introvert is when I generally get asked
about my favourite pastime, I find most people to opt for choosing new hobbies such as
community service, or joining dance classes etc. My version of favourite pastime is definitely
staying at home on my own, cooking, which is also therapeutic.
Last but not the least, it feels great when an introvert finds a fellow introvert, it feels
like having found a soul mate. We talk all day, unlike what the common notion is about us
being introverts. My friend and I have also found a place that we both love, has great food
and ambience. It was one such evening in this particular café that we went and found our
usual place to be full so we asked if they would mind us sitting at the other end of the table. It
was unlikely for both of us to do so however, we sat and ordered and waited. Somewhat
incidentally, we heard our fellow companion discussion about the present condition of the
world and the rise of fascists in various countries. It did not take very long for all of us to be
involved, engrossed, and completely comfortable in carrying out the conversation. Before we
realized, time flew by! And I as an introvert made friends with people who do not belong to
my age group or have not met before. From this particular incident, I have learned to have
more faith on myself and who I am as a person irrespective of what the dictionary says about
me. Yes, I am an introvert, and I am very comfortable in being one.
In conclusion, I would reinforce the statement that I surely have gained better insight
about myself being an introvert. However, I find that there are too many generalizations when
it comes to putting people in boxes. Each individual has his or her own uniqueness which at
times go beyond the dictionary meanings of words- by limiting them to some personality

4ESSAY ON ANALYSIS OF THE SELF "INTROVERT AS A CONCEPT”
types, it would only lead to misunderstanding and limitation of self-expression and
understanding.

5ESSAY ON ANALYSIS OF THE SELF "INTROVERT AS A CONCEPT”
Work Cited
oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com. "Introvert_1 Noun - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation And
Usage Notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary At
Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.Com". Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.Com, 2020,
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/introvert_1.