People
A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success.
— Robert Orben
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Orben pokes fun at a familiar contradiction: a room full of graduates dressed exactly alike, listening to a speech that praises standing out as the secret to getting ahead. The irony is the whole point, individuality preached to an audience united by uniform sameness.
Context reviewed