They have a certain gaiety to them, a power of invention, they don't care what people think. They have escaped, though what it is they've escaped from isn't clear to us. We think that their bizarre costumes, their verbal tics, are chosen, and that when the time comes we also will be free to choose. That's what I'm going to be like
The passage highlights the intriguing nature of certain individuals who exhibit a joyful spirit and creativity, seemingly unbothered by societal judgment. Their unconventional appearances and unique ways of speaking suggest a deliberate choice to break free from conventional constraints. However, the essence of what they are escaping from remains ambiguous to the observer.
The narrator expresses a longing to embody similar traits of freedom and inventiveness. The idea that one can choose their own path, inspired by those who have already escaped societal norms, reflects a desire for liberation and self-expression. This yearning indicates that the narrator sees a potential for self-discovery and authenticity that may one day be realized.