Caulfield? Grateful? From what we’ve seen of him, wouldn’t the expected reaction be to use his superior intellect to make his tormentor look foolish in front of the class?
I mean, he delights in the misery he brings upon Mrs. Olsen (and runs to Frazz to brag about it every time). Why not get even, and lift his own spirits, by messing with the bully?
Maybe the difference is that, classroom norms being as they are, he knows the old lady won’t physically harm him, but he feels certain Mean Gene will … ?
The classic bully in my grade school I got to know better later in life, when we were in our mid-20s. He was by then a totally different person: sweet as pie.
Another 20 years later, his older sister provided in-home hospice care for my dad. I told her about the change I’d noted in her kid brother. She told me about their father’s drinking, and the severe emotional abuse, the beatings. Her brother “got past it,” she said. “That’s all. Just put it behind him.”
You get the idea. Cheering the bully’s comeuppance is understandable. But there are times when there are some other things going on.
It’s reality for the aging athlete, where the same accomplishment amid diminished expectations is an odd form of improvement. Call it nature’s gaslighting.
Actually, don’t call it gaslighting, because that’s not what gaslighting is. Gaslighting is gradually manipulating someone’s circumstances with the goal that they start questioning their own sanity, not lowering expectations until they stop questioning yours. I wonder how we came to accept the wrong idea.
Well there you have it folks. Caulfield is grateful to Mrs. Olson for keeping a bully off his back. Schools have made a concerted effort to protect children from bullying and to help the bully to stop their destructive behavior.
Bilan about 3 years ago
Something that wouldn’t set future expectations?
garcoa about 3 years ago
How about “Thank you, Mrs. Olsen”
sandpiper about 3 years ago
Appears Caulfield has over-used the stall for math homework. Takes the joy out of trying to frustrate Mrs. Olsen.
Uncle Bob about 3 years ago
A kid that knows his numbers is a kid you can count on, Caulfield…
EdMeiller Premium Member about 3 years ago
Check out today’s Cornered.
scherzo about 3 years ago
Caulfield? Grateful? From what we’ve seen of him, wouldn’t the expected reaction be to use his superior intellect to make his tormentor look foolish in front of the class?
I mean, he delights in the misery he brings upon Mrs. Olsen (and runs to Frazz to brag about it every time). Why not get even, and lift his own spirits, by messing with the bully?
Maybe the difference is that, classroom norms being as they are, he knows the old lady won’t physically harm him, but he feels certain Mean Gene will … ?
scherzo about 3 years ago
The classic bully in my grade school I got to know better later in life, when we were in our mid-20s. He was by then a totally different person: sweet as pie.
Another 20 years later, his older sister provided in-home hospice care for my dad. I told her about the change I’d noted in her kid brother. She told me about their father’s drinking, and the severe emotional abuse, the beatings. Her brother “got past it,” she said. “That’s all. Just put it behind him.”
You get the idea. Cheering the bully’s comeuppance is understandable. But there are times when there are some other things going on.
sandpiper about 3 years ago
sorry we did not see more of the Uhrmanator. He was interesting.
Night-Gaunt49 about 3 years ago
PostsFrazz15 hrs ·
It’s reality for the aging athlete, where the same accomplishment amid diminished expectations is an odd form of improvement. Call it nature’s gaslighting.
Actually, don’t call it gaslighting, because that’s not what gaslighting is. Gaslighting is gradually manipulating someone’s circumstances with the goal that they start questioning their own sanity, not lowering expectations until they stop questioning yours. I wonder how we came to accept the wrong idea.
I’m guessing bit by bit by bit.
Night-Gaunt49 about 3 years ago
Well there you have it folks. Caulfield is grateful to Mrs. Olson for keeping a bully off his back. Schools have made a concerted effort to protect children from bullying and to help the bully to stop their destructive behavior.