The narrator adopts his mother's attitude about making friends primarily because it allows him to convince himself that his lack of friendships is a deliberate and conscious choice rather than an inability or a circumstance.
A Strategic Choice for Self-Perception
Adopting his mother's perspective served as a psychological mechanism for the narrator to rationalize his social situation. This attitude provided a convenient way to frame his solitary state, giving him a sense of control and agency over his social life.
- Rationalization: It offered an explanation that not making friends was a conscious decision, rather than something he couldn't achieve.
- Self-Preservation: By believing he "could if he wanted to," the narrator protected his self-esteem and avoided feelings of social inadequacy.
- Temporal Excuse: The notion that "it just wasn't the right time" provided a temporary justification, implying that friendships were a future possibility, not a current impossibility.
This internal narrative allowed the narrator to maintain a positive self-image regarding his social capabilities, suggesting that his current lack of close connections was merely a strategic pause in his social endeavors. It transformed a potential social challenge into a personal choice, thus offering comfort and an illusion of control.
