{Facials}[23rd September 1990]

[Redbook7:319][19900923:1045h]{Facials}[23rd September 1990]

.1045

[continued]

‘“When I wish to find out how wise, or how stupid, or how good, or how wicked is any one, and what are his thoughts at the moment, I fashion the expression of my face, as accurately as possible, in accordance with the expression of his, and then wait to see what thoughts or sentiments arise in my mind or heart, as if to match or correspond with the expression.” This response of the schoolboy lies at the bottom of all the spurious profundity which has been attributed to Rochefoucauld, to La Bougive, to Machiavelli, and to Campanella.’

– [C. Auguste Dupin, in] Edgar Allan Poe, The Purloined Letter.

The idea that if you smile you will then feel happy – which can* work – is an example of this notion. But perhaps it’s a technique for writing fiction from character?**

*Up to, or from, a point. It can also be the beginning of hypocrisy. <900924>

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**Yes, according to WSCC*** BP7-6 para 5 – which I must have read already: ‘Watch people’s faces and movements closely. Try to force your own face and movement into similar patterns, and the chances are that you will be able to guess exactly the emotions felt by the people you have under observation.’**** (Chance of a fist in the face, too, I should think.)

***[ibid, (eg) [Redbook7:185][19900801:2340]{Human Interest}[1st August 1990], fn=**]

****[What a very unfortunate choice of those last two words]

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