Chapter 05
When Past and Present Collide
MARGUERITE In a moment the pleasant oak-raftered coffee-room of the inn became the scene of hopeless confusion and discomfort. At the first announcement made by the stable boy, Lord Antony, with a fashionable oath, had jumped up from his seat and was now giving many and confused directions to poor bewildered Jellyband, who seemed at his wits’ end what to do. “For goodness’ sake, man,” admonished his lordship, “try to keep Lady Blakeney talking outside for a moment, while the ladies withdraw. Zounds!” he added, with another more emphatic oath, “this is most unfortunate.” “Quick, Sally! the candles!” shouted Jellyband,…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Displacement Pattern
Think of a situation where someone treated you coldly or unfairly, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Now consider: what might that person have been carrying that had nothing to do with you? Write down what you think their real source of pain might have been, and how you represented something they couldn't directly confront.
Consider:
- •People often can't strike back at the real source of their pain, so they target safer substitutes
- •Your presence might remind them of losses or betrayals they're still processing
- •Their reaction says more about their unhealed wounds than about your actual behavior
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself taking out frustration on the wrong person. What were you really angry about, and why was it easier to blame someone else?
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