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SD Response #2

Look back at the definition of the "narcissistic personality" on p. 119. Does Douglas’s essay exhibit traits of this personality? Justify your answer with a close reading of one or two sentences from any part of the essay.

Dueling sample answers

1

It's possible Susan Douglas's personality throughout the essay may have revealed some of her own narcissistic qualities. Take for instance part of the defininition of a narcissist on page 119: "people who seemed self-satisfied, but were really deeply anxious about what others thought about them." It also states that they are "desperatly insecure," "obsessed with competing with other people for approval or acclaim, or "worried about whether someone laughs at one of their jokes."

At times it seems her scense of confidence may actually just be an illusion she creates for her reader. In actuality, she feels inadequent andis jelous of what she doesn't have. In her first sentence in the essay, "'I'm worth it,' exclaims Cybil Shepard in her brattiest, na-na-na-poo-poo voice as she swirls her blond hair in my face"(p.117). Douglas may come across as having authority, but in reality, she's comparing herself to a famous actress, and doesn't feel she measures up, so she hopes you'll atleast laugh at her sad impersonation.

Another example of Douglas's narcissistic personality is illustrated in the sentence: "In the collagen ad, it was beautiful, rich, and sucsessful Sunny Griffin, versus the rest of us"(p.125). Again this exemplifies that Douglas is sizing herself up to another prosperous woman and feeling insufficient; she was upset that woman envied Sunny Griffen and not her.


2

The "narcissistic personality" is defined by Lasch as, "compulsively 'other directed' and consumed by self-doubt, even self-hatred" (119). Narcissism as Liberation does not exhibit any of these characteristics even though its discussion is about narcissism. Susan Douglas is witty-never sinking to the level of the narcissist-yet manages to always stay focused.

Her jokes about "Defense Cream" with reference to Star Wars are very funny but also prove a point. She never shows self-doubt; on the contrary, she points out the doubts advertizing agencies prey on. Instead of being "other directed" and wanting the approval of others Douglas is crude when she wants to be, making references to "crotch rot" (117) and "pubic hair" (127) and thinking nothing of it.

This essay is a release for Douglas, as seen in the first paragraph on page 131, in which every sentence begins with "I'm tired of..." Because of this the essay cannot be considered narcissistic. It does everything possible to make fun of narcissism by incorparating quotes from those promoting such behavior.