Meta: Guilt and Shame, Dean Winchester Style
I read some meta the other day that attempted to explain away Sam and Dean’s differences by claiming that Dean feels guilt, which is healthy, while Sam feels shame, which isn’t. As if these two things don’t go together like PB and J. As if the levels of guilt that Dean feels can be considered healthy at all. Anyway, instead of critiquing that ( Read more... )
You've nailed the source of Dean's guilt but more importantly you see how it became necessary to his emotional survival even as it cripples him:
By accepting the guilt when things went sideways, young Dean took control of an otherwise terrifying situation...
And you clearly explain the difference between guilt and shame, both of which are at work taking Dean down right now.
The thing that I have loved most about SPN is how psychologically consistent Dean and Sam have been written. As you point out in the season 9 episode where we get a flashback to Dean's time at Sonny's, the guilt he feels at enjoying not having to be in charge still haunts him.
What I want most of all is for Dean to be able to step back and look at the guilt he has accepted and say, wait a minute, I didn't deserve all that pressure and I did damn good considering what was put on me...so I'm not going to beat myself up any more.
Of course the way the situation is right now, that clarity seems like it may never happen...
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And it breaks my heart. Poor Dean.
Spot on analysis, i_speak_tongue. As borgmama1of5 said, you've absolutely nailed it.
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And yeah, things are looking mighty bleak. Although I'm holding out hope for season 10.
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