Napoleon
Napoleon was a short man who tried to conquer the world and failed but left behind so much that we have in our lives even 250 years later.The concept of hiring relatives, a great long palindrome, a yummy cream filled dessert and perhaps my favorite to study..... an interesting complex.
Over the years I have worked with many people, skinny and fat, tall and short. It does amaze me how many short people that I have worked with have exhibited traits consistent with the napoleonic complex. Is it that so many short people act in this manner? or do I specifically notice it because they are short and make the connection?
Perhaps most importantly, what did they call this complex before Napoleon was on the scene? (I know, that's a takeoff on the "irony" that Lou Gehrig died of Lou Gehrig's disease, sorry)
posted by A Frum Idealist | 6/15/2006 10:38:00 AM
15 Comments:
Oh gosh I had a boss like this... short and possibly bipolar... it was obvious he had an inferiority complex but it made him a tyrant... much like Napoleon. I vowed if he ever yelled at me the way he yelled at some of the other coworkers I would quit right then. But he didnt. And I quit anyway....
Something most people dont know... the love between Napoleon and Josephine was legendary. But did you know he had forsaken the love of his life and sent her away since she was too old to bear his children? I believe his words were something to the effect of... there is no love in in royalty and dynasties... he then married another who was already bearing his child.
Uh oh I am short! I really am not a personality like napolean. Interesting connections.
What he lacked in stature he made up for in monuments, my favourite being that creamy dessert you mentioned!
Maybe, before Napolean, short men never felt badly about being short?
(BTW doesn't the medrash say that Pharoah in the time of Moshe was a dwarf?)
I believe they used to call it the Rumpelstilskin complex - but Napoleon had a better ring to it.
Not only was he short..but he was also French...!
He was brilliant general though...
How about Haman?
interesting question/observation..
SO true! what a person lacks he makes up for in other ways. Look how many dyslexic actors there are, how ironic! I see this concept all around me. Dont they say one who is deaf can see better then the average person as well as one who is blind can hear much better? Its part of nature.
frumgirl - it's amazing how many people I have come across like that. Both above me and below me on the totem pole.
Oh, and I used to be a Napoleon buff. I was aware of that historical tidbit. The big question is, was his child short as well?
swfm - hmmm, does one realize if they do act that way? Or do we only see it in others? :-)
kasamba - As long as there have been men roaming this earth, I am sure that the tall ones did everything in their power to make the short ones feel inferior. Haven't you seen how competitive men are about the STUPIDEST things?
(fill in the blanks as you see fit)
and yes, I do recall some pirush about Paroah's lack of height.
mata hari - ..... good one....
david - yes, he was all three of those.
neil harris - ok, you got me... what about haman?? am I missing something?
nota - I have an extended family member like that. I'm glad I was able to clue you in.
m00kie - thank you.
chaverah - sorry, I guess our posts crossed in blogspace.
It's true what you are saying about the deaf and blind, but that is more physical. People who are Napoleonic also generally take it to a ridiculous extreme.
I think that the concept of a Napoleon complex applies more to men than to women, since most women are naturally shorter than men and they're used to it. I know a couple of short guys, though...
scraps - true, and also the competetiveness between men and men and women with women are different. I don't think height matters to most women, unless they are at one extreme or the other, but to a guy it's fodder to pick on another guy. sad, but true.
I sure hope we realize it. I think I would know if I had a Napoleanic personality ha.
I think the napolean complex/personality is only true of short men, and not short women. Just an observation.
Haman had an had an inferiority complex.
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