Posted by Kali on May 29, 1997 at 02:38:30:
In reply to Finally, My Response. posted by Ann on May 15, 1997 at 01:28:51
It's been awhile since I checked in here!
Okay, I forgive you about the psychobabble comment. But you should know that I TRY not to take the denotations or connotations of a word lightly. To paraphrase Mark O'Brien, words are important. Treat them considerately.
I think we must agree to disagree about Mary's character.
Okay by me!
I still don't believe that you really do accept that Fanny's introversion is okay. You say that you think it is okay, then go on to attack her for acting in an introverted manner. You seem to define it as merely being shy around others, but introversion like Fanny's goes far beyond that. It goes directly to the heart of your argument that Fanny is uncomfortable in unfamiliar situations, and is not easily open to new experiences. An introvert is exactly someone who puts great store in the familiar, traditional, and comfortable, and naturally shuns and distrusts the unfamiliar.
Babe, I used to LIKE Fanny...so this proves both you and the AUSTEN-L chick quite wrong about extroverted prejudices! Even in my irritation over MP's mysterious green tinge, my suspicion did not spread to Fanny herself until very recently.
Introversion - defined as the propensity for self-stimulation, self-examination, and social simplicity - can provide for personal growth and self-understanding as well as the for the ability for one to better understand and more easily interact with others through understanding of the self. That, essentially, describes me (and I'm generally considered an extrovert!). Extreme introversion, however, just as extreme extroversion, is detrimental to one's social development. Being conservative, even a little reactionary, is very natural. The rub lies in the attempt or nonattempt to at least understand the "enemy." The line may be fine, but there is a delineation between the receptive and informed and the unreceptive and ignorant. I know many introverted people (like you, Ann) who have no trouble at least investigating the new and/or the different. It's also important to note that exploring "the new and different" need not encompass even POTENTIAL personal and moral realignment. Merely, it requires an interest in other people, other places, other ideas. That's not so hard.
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