Cults of personality can be a major force in our collective behavior. The sisters had a small cult of personality amongst the six of them. There is a larger cult of personality in the Nazi movement. Was this theme fully explored in this book?
Created: 01/13/23
Replies: 11
Join Date: 07/11/22
Posts: 14
Cults of personality can be a major force in our collective behavior. The sisters had a small cult of personality amongst the six of them. There is a larger cult of personality in the Nazi movement. Was this theme fully explored in this book?
Join Date: 04/21/11
Posts: 264
Hmmmm I'm not sure if it was fully explored yet cults of personality was clearly a major theme as we also saw with Mosley and even Churchill. I find it quite scary that we can be wooed by strength of personality but know that I have had similar experiences, in particular working for charismatic business leaders. The stakes aren't always as high as what we see in The Mitford Affair but they still speak to our susceptibility.
Join Date: 04/24/21
Posts: 48
Join Date: 08/12/15
Posts: 167
I think this is a dangerous thing. We have seen evidence of this in our own country. Peopel followed Hitler without knowing all the facts.He was an easy liar who becasme powerful enough that no one could question him. I think people are attracted to leaders that are charismatic and flamboyant. Then they can lead us anywhere they want to. It happens in politics, religion, business, culture and even relationships.
Join Date: 04/07/12
Posts: 250
I’ve never heard of the expression “cult of personality,” but I can certainly it exhibited in this book, with Mosley, Hitler, Diana. It takes a charismatic personality, whether it’s exhibited in looks (Diana), speech (Hitler), or other traits. We have seen this in our country with certain leaders of late, and it can be dangerous. However, I don’t think this was a theme per se in the book and wasn’t fully explored.
Join Date: 10/19/20
Posts: 237
In retrospect the theme of "cult of personality" was in the book but more of an implied theme because this is how leaders such Hitler were able to gain power and support from the people at large either through the speeches given or individual attention shown. Other characters in such as Mosley also used this power to gain attention and devotion.
Join Date: 08/12/15
Posts: 167
No, The "cult of personality" was not explored in this novel. It would have been interesting to understand more fully why Unity was so extremely enamored of Hitler. The reasons were more subtle, and not satisfying enough to understand Unity's despersate attempt at suicide.
Join Date: 10/28/22
Posts: 3
While not explicitly stated, it was certain "cults of personality" driving this novel from behind the scenes. Diana's first marriage was what most people dream of, but she left it for the cruel, intemperate, power-hungry Mosley. Meanwhile, Unity's obsession lead to self-harm. Their lives would have been entirely different had they not come in contact with these "personalities."
Join Date: 02/18/15
Posts: 497
Join Date: 08/12/15
Posts: 167
I agree with reene. Hitler was more of a background character in the book. Unity's fascination with him was only shown as a "schoolgirl" sort of thing. Hitler's persuasiveness was not shown directly with Unity. She wanted to be within his realm, he did not go after her, as such. And to inflict self harm was over the top all considered.
Join Date: 10/20/21
Posts: 25
While Benedict did not pursue this as a major theme, I do believe that the presence & impact of these cults of personality are prevalent throughout the book. Within the family, Diana is that "golden child" that can do no wrong & can easily persuade her siblings, mother, and even her father to do things that they don't do for the others (Remember, good old Dad getting her an early release from the hospital so that she could be with Mosley on vacation?). Mosley had a similar toxic affect on Diana to the point of her doing whatever she needed to do to procure her place by his side. Although I do believe she saw his weaknesses as well, she chose to ignore them. I won't dignify the cult status of Hitler & Mussolini other than to say that people see what they want to see & believe what they want to believe . . . a web that Unity was completed mired in. Even her parents got swept up in the excitement of Der Fuhrer when they visited Unity in Germany. I found it interesting that Diana, one of these strong personalities, continued to create this following with the other female inmates while completely ignoring/denying any wrong-doing on her part. Like most cult leaders, if they spin the lies long enough, the lies take on a life of their own as truth. Frightening!
Join Date: 06/05/18
Posts: 245
I hadn't thought about the "cults of personality" but it does really come into play here and, perhaps in current politics as well.Leaders do particularly well when they are charismatic, appeal to a large group of people, render opinions on issues that are important to the general population at large. All of the "cult of personalities" in this book do exactly that.
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