But even that is not certain, since repression is not irretrievable.
For just as psychoanalysis can bring to the surface a buried impulse,
so can social situations. [Footnote: _Cf._ the very interesting
book of Everett Dean Martin, _The Behavior of Crowds_.
Also Hobbes, _Leviathan_, Part II, Ch. 25. "For the passions of
men, which asunder are moderate, as the heat of one brand, in an
assembly are like many brands, that inflame one another, especially
when they blow one another with orations...."
LeBon, _The Crowd_, elaborates this observation of Hobbes's.] It
is only when our surroundings remain normal and placid, when what is
expected of us by those we meet is consistent, that we live without
knowledge of many of our dispositions. When the unexpected occurs, we
learn much about ourselves that we did not know.
The selves, which we construct with the help of all who influence us,
prescribe which impulses, how emphasized, how directed, are
appropriate to certain typical situations for which we have learned
prepared attitudes. For a recognizable type of experience, there is a
character which controls the outward manifestations of our whole
being. Murderous hate is, for example, controlled in civil life.
Though you choke with rage, you must not display it as a parent,
child, employer, politician. You would not wish to display a
personality that exudes murderous hate.
Pages:
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191