Introduction to the Science of SociologyPark, Robert Ezra
General
Introduction to the Science of Sociology
Park, Robert Ezra
Sociology
_As a priest._--She imagines that she is the Archbishop of
Paris. Her face becomes very grave. Her voice is mildly sweet
and drawling, which forms a great contrast with the harsh,
blunt tone she had as a general. (Aside.) "But I must
accomplish my charge." She leans her head on her hand and
reflects. (Aloud.) "Ah! it is you, Monsieur Grand Vicar; what
is your business with me? I do not wish to be disturbed. Yes,
today is the first of January, and I must go to the cathedral.
This throng of people is very respectful, don't you think so,
monsieur? There is a great deal of religion in the people,
whatever one does. Ah! a child! let him come to me to be
blessed. There, my child." She holds out to him her imaginary
bishop's ring to kiss. During this whole scene she is making
gestures of benediction with her right hand on all sides. "Now
I have a duty to perform. I must go and pay my respects to the
president of the Republic. Ah! Mr. President, I come to offer
you my allegiance. It is the wish of the church that you may
have many years of life. She knows that she has nothing to
fear, notwithstanding cruel attacks, while such an honorable
man is at the head of the Republic." She is silent and seems to
listen attentively. (Aside.) "Yes, fair promises. Now let us
pray!" She kneels down.
_As a religious sister._--She immediately kneels down and
begins to say her prayers, making a great many signs of the
cross; then she arises. "Now to the hospital. There is a
wounded man in this ward. Well, my friend, you are a little
better this morning, aren't you? Now, then, let me take off
your bandage." She gestures as if she were unrolling a bandage.
"I shall do it very gently; doesn't that relieve you? There! my
poor friend, be as courageous before pain as you were before
the enemy."
I might cite other objectivations from A----'s case, in the
character of old woman, little girl, young man, gay woman, etc.
But the examples given seem sufficient to give some idea of the
entire transformation of the personality into this or that
imaginary type. It is not a simple dream, it is a _living
dream_.
The complete transformation of feelings is not the least
curious phenomenon of these objectivations. A---- is timid, but
she becomes very daring when she thinks herself a bold person.
B---- is silent, she becomes talkative when she represents a
talkative person. The disposition is thus completely changed.
Old tastes disappear and give place to the new tastes that the
new character represented is supposed to have.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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