Furthermore, the narrator uses her defense mechanism of dissociation to mentally escape the materialistic society that the bourgeoisie has created. Dissociation, observed by Bill Flatt, consists of “repressed, and then it controls one. Other manifestations of grief during this period may include hallucinations” (Flatt 144). Since physically escaping the shelter is a futile plan, the narrator uses her imagination to conjure a society she deems as just. For instance, she states, “We all deal with things differently. At night, some woman cry. Other woman are bullies. Others bake. Some live one life while dreaming of another. And some women run” (Cook 53). Through the creation of a fantasy world, the narrator can mentally escape the materialistic
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As Bill Flatt states, “One accepts realities that cannot be changed. Emotional, cognitive, and practical adjustments must be made. One begins to fit in again. One at this point is somewhat devoid of feelings, not bitter but not really living” (Flatt 146). Although it may appear that the person has accepted their current reality, they only superficially changed to blend into the society that excludes their true self. For example, the narrator appears to be satisfied that she has been chosen after eight months in the woman’s shelter, but that is merely an act of survival. As she states later, while talking to her counselor, “I nod. However it happened. I’m just glad to have a home” (Cook 54). Thus, the narrator is just glad to have a home that is not under the absolute rule of the bourgeoisie. However, she must maintain a superficial appearance in order to stay in the bourgeois society. Despite the narrator superficially blending into society, she is not afraid of what the future holds. As she states, ““I’m not looking forward to this day. But I won’t turn my back on it. As the manual often states, it’s my future. And it’s the only one I get” (Cook 55). The narrator is not afraid of the future because she hopes that there will one day be a change in the bourgeois society that is for the betterment of the proletariat. All in all, the narrator’s rationale is that by becoming a superficial sign value, she can survive in the bourgeois society while hoping that change is in the
As Bill Flatt states, “One accepts realities that cannot be changed. Emotional, cognitive, and practical adjustments must be made. One begins to fit in again. One at this point is somewhat devoid of feelings, not bitter but not really living” (Flatt 146). Although it may appear that the person has accepted their current reality, they only superficially changed to blend into the society that excludes their true self. For example, the narrator appears to be satisfied that she has been chosen after eight months in the woman’s shelter, but that is merely an act of survival. As she states later, while talking to her counselor, “I nod. However it happened. I’m just glad to have a home” (Cook 54). Thus, the narrator is just glad to have a home that is not under the absolute rule of the bourgeoisie. However, she must maintain a superficial appearance in order to stay in the bourgeois society. Despite the narrator superficially blending into society, she is not afraid of what the future holds. As she states, ““I’m not looking forward to this day. But I won’t turn my back on it. As the manual often states, it’s my future. And it’s the only one I get” (Cook 55). The narrator is not afraid of the future because she hopes that there will one day be a change in the bourgeois society that is for the betterment of the proletariat. All in all, the narrator’s rationale is that by becoming a superficial sign value, she can survive in the bourgeois society while hoping that change is in the