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The Ways We Hide


From the bestselling author of Sold On A Monday, a sweeping tale of an ...
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What are the roots of Ingrid's hostility to Fenna? Were you ever falsely accused of an action when you were a child, and if so, how did you handle it?

Created: 09/08/22

Replies: 5

Posted Sep. 08, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

What are the roots of Ingrid's hostility to Fenna? Were you ever falsely accused of an action when you were a child, and if so, how did you handle it?

At the orphanage, Ingrid repeatedly sets Fenna up. Do you think her hostility only stemmed from their friend Poppy's adoption, or did it go deeper? Why do you suppose she didn't alert the orphanage's adults when she saw Fenna running away?

Were you ever falsely accused of an action when you were a child, and if so, how did you handle it?


Posted Sep. 11, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 401

RE: What are the roots of Ingrid's ...

I believe Ingrid was jealous of the attention Fenna received for her magic performances, and in particular for Poppy's fascination with them. I think she allowed Fenna to "escape" unreported because she was glad Fenna was leaving.


Posted Sep. 12, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
christineb

Join Date: 10/13/11

Posts: 120

RE: What are the roots of Ingrid's ...

I agree with laurap. I think the roots of jealousy can ruin many relationships. I think Ingrid might have been unsure of her own position in the orphanage and that
Fenna became a threat to her- whether true or not.


Posted Sep. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
smallino

Join Date: 06/06/21

Posts: 52

RE: What are the roots of Ingrid's ...

I hate stories of bullying and was upset by this section of the novel. But I try to understand why Ingrid behaved so. So many abandoned orphaned children, they lacked socialization and had to fight for whatever. While sad, I understand her actions.


Posted Sep. 17, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susanr

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 201

RE: What are the roots of Ingrid's ...

Unfortunately there are 'mean girls' everywhere. I think that Ingrid was jealous of Fenna's attention for her magic and wanted to end her popularity.


Posted Oct. 24, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JHSiess

Join Date: 06/12/22

Posts: 64

RE: What are the roots of Ingrid's ...

Ingrid was a bully. During my career as a civil rights attorney, I stood up to many bullies on behalf of their victims (my clients).

The thing I know to be true about bullies is that they operate from a lack of self-confidence, feeling unloved and/or not valued, and, often, a deep sense of self-loathing. They are usually people who have been deeply hurt and they act out against others in an attempt to feel better about themselves. A successfuly bully often gets drunk with power and gradually becomes increasingly abusive until someone or something stops them.

And that describes Ingrid, doesn't it? She was an orphan, who undoubtedly felt unloved and unwanted, living in a place where she believed power mattered a great deal. And she wanted to get something that Fenna had -- lovely boots, real friendship, the respect of the other orphans -- but lacked the skills and/or intellect to obtain them without abusing Fenna. She was really a tragic character because I wanted to sit her down, explain her behavior to her, and help her see that she could overcome her circumstances without resorting to mistreating others.

I have had the experience of being accused of doing something I did not do, and it is excruciatingly painful and frustrating. I recall one incident that made me particularly angry because the accuser knew me well enough that there never should have been such an accusation. It revealed the toxic nature of a relationship that had to end, so it all worked out in my favor, as everything eventually does because karma is real.


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