What does the following Thomas Carlyle quote mean when interpreted culture is the process by which a person becomes all that they were created capable of being?

Answer 1

I cant seem to find his elaboration on it, but here's my interpretation(who asked?):

An essential element to culture is that it is imagined. You may see minorities that create their own culture groups, for instance, out of the blue, the fashion industry. It is a culture based on appearance and visual formation. Different designs of apparel is created, whether it may be grunge, bohemian, emo, officewear, fastfood uniform, formal attire etc. It is all a collaborated figment of our imagination from a group of human beings. They all wish to express a philosophy, a thought, a doctrine, values or feelings that they wish to see themselves as, or to act as a tool for persuasion, induced actions and the like.

Kramsch (1998) - Language and Culture puts it very nicely and is probably the best comprehensive introductory to learning about culture. If you wish to study culture, here's a quick read that ellicits valuable thought. (this was not meant to be a advertisement, I simply just love the book)