|
Edited on Tue Sep-20-05 10:27 PM by TwoSparkles
Both were raised by parents who were abusive and controlling.
When that happens, usually, the children will shut down psychologically until they feel nothing. Feeling becomes too painful. When someone stops experiencing their own emotions--they slowly begin to lose an understanding of emotions or feelings in others. They lose empathy and any sort of awareness or concern about how their actions affect others.
With that said--you've got two emotionally-shut-down grown children here.
George played the role of "mascot" in the family. He was the goof. The one who supplied the humor and levity for the family--so they wouldn't have to face their own sickness. They could all laugh their way through the pain, as George performed the role of the family circus seal. That's why George is so impulsive and destructive. He's still that child--acting out. Look at his drunk driving, alcoholism and cocaine addiction. He's like the little monkey child--acting on his childish impulses in ways that help him quell the pain of being raised by wolves.
Then there's Jeb. They had high expectations for Jeb. They couldn't have two little clowns, frolicking around the mansion...now could they? The family dysfunction required that someone achieve and make the family look good. Jeb took on the role of "the perfect one". Someone had to make the family proud, while George was cheeleading, flunking out of college and behaving like a squirrel on acid. Jeb is emotionally shut down and a psychopath as well, but he's always had more pressure and higher expectations foisted on him. He continues to achieve and be a workaholic to fulfill this role in the family. Plus, it keeps him busy and helps him stuff the rage that grew inside of him as he was raised by those wolverines.
In my opinion, Jeb is more dangerous because he's repressing more white-hot rage. For decades, he's been stuffed down a volcano of emotion. George gets to "act out" and let some steam off of the volcano every once in a while. Jeb is Mount St. Helens waiting to blow. People who have such a huge load of emotion buried--are very, very dangerous. They're passive aggressive and they are often sadistic bastards who enjoy inflicting pain on people. This type of high-functioning psychopath often looks perfect on the outside--however, his family will always suffer. The spouses and children of these types are usually traumatized from living with such a person. People who know this type of psychopath will often say, "Oh! Such a nice man! Too bad his children are so messed up!". In reality, the children are drug addicts, alcoholics, sexual deviants and mentally ill due to prolonged, close contact with the psychopath.
Just look at Jeb's kids. His daughter is a coke addict. His son has an alcohol problem and was recently arrested. These kids are acting out their pain and using substances to stave the trauma.
Jeb and George--both psychopaths, both bad. However, IMHO--Jeb has the potential to do more harm.
|