Michael Britt first made this comment about "It's a Wonderful Life":
> Okay, how's this for Reaction Formation: remember the scene > where George goes to Mary's house (before they are married)? > We know he's in love with Mary but at first he pretends not to > care for her. In fact, he's even a little bit rude to her. Then they > get that telephone call (from that rich character whose name > I forget) and by the end of the call Mary and George are kissing. to which Allen Esterson contributed: > But from Michael's description my first thought was that George's initial > behaviour could be put down to nervousness. (Some young people in that kind > of situation shy away from revealing their true feelings, presumably to > avoid possible rejection.) And to which I demur: Such a scenario has little to do either with reaction formation or reality. It's a well-worn literary device, standard fare in countless books and films that the hero and heroine first can't stand each other, and then they can (and how!). Cases in point: _Pride and Prejudice_, _Anne of Green Gables_ and, of course, _The African Queen_. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: sbl...@ubishops.ca 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Subscribe to discussion list (TIPS) for the teaching of psychology at http://flightline.highline.edu/sfrantz/tips/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)
