Yes, I understand that reaction. (And I think that one of the hallmarks of a really good writer (and of an artist in general) is being able to evoke something different in everyone who experiences it.) My responses were sadness, pain and anger at the thoughtlessness and intolerance of the other children and empathy for the girl who was punished for the differences that were no fault of her own. Which were familiar feelings for me as well.
My own experiences left me with a general disdain for, and suspicion of, people who were part of what I interpreted as "the mainstream," but also with a lot of guilt for being unable to fit in, and especially for being unable to stand up to bullies and be less of an obvious target. (And, in hindsight, anger at my parents for not getting the problem at all. I remember particularly my mother being unhelpful.
Me: This boy in class keeps telling me to stop wrinkling my nose at him and then punching me in the shoulder.
Mom: Well, just wrinkle your nose at him and then ignore him.
Me: But, Mom...
Mom: *shrugs*
Me: (thinks: well, I don't see you doing that when Dad picks on you...)
(In hindsight, my parents had their own problems. But I was still angry for a long time that they couldn't see past that enough to make things better for their own kids.)
Now I have a more balanced attitude, with more confidence and more understanding of everyone involved. But the story still takes me back, and it's almost as painful as it was then.
(so ends the TMI and philosophy ;) )
Anyway, I hope the story helped some adults, and maybe even some bullies, to have some new understanding of themselves and others.
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sforzinda
no subject
Date: 2012-06-09 10:36 pm (UTC)My own experiences left me with a general disdain for, and suspicion of, people who were part of what I interpreted as "the mainstream," but also with a lot of guilt for being unable to fit in, and especially for being unable to stand up to bullies and be less of an obvious target. (And, in hindsight, anger at my parents for not getting the problem at all. I remember particularly my mother being unhelpful.
Me: This boy in class keeps telling me to stop wrinkling my nose at him and then punching me in the shoulder.
Mom: Well, just wrinkle your nose at him and then ignore him.
Me: But, Mom...
Mom: *shrugs*
Me: (thinks: well, I don't see you doing that when Dad picks on you...)
(In hindsight, my parents had their own problems. But I was still angry for a long time that they couldn't see past that enough to make things better for their own kids.)
Now I have a more balanced attitude, with more confidence and more understanding of everyone involved. But the story still takes me back, and it's almost as painful as it was then.
(so ends the TMI and philosophy ;) )
Anyway, I hope the story helped some adults, and maybe even some bullies, to have some new understanding of themselves and others.