26
comp
eting for top position in the group. The combatants confront each
other with all the dignity of chivalric knights. Each stands erect, his
hair raised in a magnificent mantle about him, looking massive and
heroic. The pair stare into each others' eyes without flinching.
But the manly stoicism with which the duo square off is a pose
maintained only with an extreme exertion of self-control. After the
confrontation is over, both chimps march away. When one is certain
he is out of sight of gawkers, all the emotions he's been holding back
suddenly rampage across his face. His upper lip flies up, leaving his
teeth bare--the ultimate chimpanzee sign of nervousness. Realizing
that another member of the tribe might spot him and note his delayed
terror, the recent-combatant tries over and over again to pull the
rebellious lip down over his teeth and regain his dignified appearance.
But the stress-filled grimace simply will not leave his face.64 Under the
dignity and confidence of a few moments before was a seething
cauldron of insecurity.
Hitler used to go through something similar at the height of his
power. He would bully an opposing head of state, shouting, fuming,
seemingly invulnerable to the inhibitions that weaken other men.
Then, when he was alone in his room, the indomitable leader would
collapse into a screaming nervous wreck. To make sure no one he
wanted to intimidate ever saw that side of his personality, the Glorious
Leader would carefully rehearse for major meetings in front of a
mirror.65
T.E. Lawrence even saw the ruse of imperturbability at work
among the desert aristocrats of Arabia. Lawrence described a group of
Arab chiefs summoned to the tent of their leader, who had just
discovered that he and his vassals were about to be given 2,000
camels--a veritable fortune in livestock--by the British. The chieftains
scrambled excitedly toward the dwelling where their meeting was
about to take place, then quickly stopped themselves outside the tent
flap to compose their faces, their postures and their hauteur so that they
would not march in with the silly looks of glee that the news of the
unexpected fortune had stamped all over them.66
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