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The Mitford Affair


An explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to...
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What are your thoughts about the "cults of personality" in the book?

Created: 01/13/23

Replies: 11

Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
chrisnicel

Join Date: 07/11/22

Posts: 14

What are your thoughts about the "cults of personality" in the book?

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?


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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.


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Elizabetta

Join Date: 04/24/21

Posts: 48

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

I don’t think “cult of personality” was a theme in the novel. We are aware of it with Mosley and certainly Hitler and we see how Unity fell victim to it, but the why and how of it was never fully explored.


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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.


Posted Jan. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliep

Join Date: 04/07/12

Posts: 250

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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.


Posted Jan. 15, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carriem

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 237

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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.


Posted Jan. 16, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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.


Posted Jan. 27, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
alisonk

Join Date: 10/28/22

Posts: 3

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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."


Posted Jan. 28, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reene

Join Date: 02/18/15

Posts: 497

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

The need to be accepted is a very powerful pull. Hitler seemed to know just how to use this to his advantage. This is true with most cults. I can't say that I felt this was a strong theme throughout the book.


Posted Jan. 29, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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.


Posted Feb. 01, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
tsquared

Join Date: 10/20/21

Posts: 25

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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!


Posted Feb. 09, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scgirl

Join Date: 06/05/18

Posts: 245

RE: What are your thoughts about the &...

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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