Posted by Rich (172.142.184.40) on January 28, 2003 at 22:22:34:
In Reply to: Alicia Adams novel 'Medicine Men' posted by Jan den Breejen (145.53.141.105) on January 28, 2003 at 00:55:06:
> Medicine Men
> By Alice Adams
> Dave, born to be married and actively lining up his next wife, pursues Molly, and she reluctantly drifts into a relationship with him, about which she has ambiguous feelings. In the meantime, she is diagnosed of a malignant tumor in her sinuses. During the course of her surgery, radiation therapy, and slow convalescence, Dave assumes management of Molly's treatment as a way of controlling her, staving off her bids for independence with emotional blackmail of the "after all I've done for you" variety. Dave’s insisting on taking care of Molly’s medical problem, his focus on organizing things for her is his way of making sure that Molly will stick with him. It’s a kind of agressive, pushy seductiveness which Dave acts out. Dave offers only goodwill and kind gestures, he’s so syrupy nice and good that Molly feels guilty when she wants to protest against his deep involvement/intrusion in her life.
> Millon writes:
> ‘Obviously anyone so syrupy nice must be compensating for something. Beneath the friendly smiles lies the emptiness and worthliness of the histrionic, the guilt of the compulsive, and the inferiority and helplessness of the dependent. Most feel that they are problem persons who are unloved and inadequate. To compensate they become super-pleasers’
> Assessment: Millon’s histrionic personality (subtype ‘the appeasing histrionic’), Oldham’s Dramatic Style character.
> Jan
Hello Jan:
How would you type Molly? She seems to feel that she has to accept Dave's taking control of her life; an Aggressive would never permit that.... Rich