The Embodiment of a Role

I found an idea in section 356, The extent to which things will become ever more 'artistic' in Europe to be very interesting. Nietzsche talks about how people confuse themselves with the roles that they take up in society. He claims, "Almost all Europeans, at an advanced age, confuse themselves with their role" (215). He goes on, "they themselves have forgotten how much they were determined by accidents, moods, and arbitrariness at the time that their 'profession' was decided - and how many other roles they may have been able to play; for now it is too late" (215). I think this idea rings true and still rings true today. We all define ourselves by our roles, and our profession is usually the role that we use to define ourselves the most. Think about it, if you were to go up to someone and ask, "Who are you?" after giving their name they would most likely tell you their job. What your profession is, however, gives very little insight into who you specifically are as a person. I think Nietzsche is right when he claims that people limit themsleves by simply trying to embody their role. Nietzsche goes on in this section to speak specifically about America and this idea. He characterizes the "American faith" as one "where the individual is convinced he can do just about anything and is up to playing any role" While this is certainly a staple of the "American Dream," I wonder if it proves any less limiting? Does the dogged pursuit of any role limit the individual to only expressing the parts of themselves that would conform to that role? This definition through roles does seem to lead to the creation of people as "actors" because they are really trying to act the part of their role.