It's very superficial, I guess, because it's about a movie - - but I sort of felt that way at the end of the movie "Ordinary People."
The numbness indicated to me later of what a good movie it was with such strong performances from everyone! I like when movies turn me numb. It's happened more than once. (I wrote a "aM Statement" about movies that numbed me -- I posted it not too, too long ago, I think.) :)
I think that the mother (Mary Tyler Moore) was probably afflicted with the kind of numbness I'm talking about. That's the kind of tragedy that causes it.
Thanks for your reply, Welby. Maybe I'll try to watch a numbing movie, but I'm sure that one wouldn't do it for me... as I am now crying just thinking about it.
(PLOT SPOILER!!! "Ordinary People" - - I think you and I might have a similar reaction to Mary Tyler Moore's character - - but EVERYONE I know just called her a huge "bit*h" and left it at that. But I still found myself asking "How did she get to such a point to behave this way?" I don't necessarily regard her as a bit*h in this movie.)
Those who most others dismiss as being b*tches or sons of bitc*es are quite fascinating, aren't they? Most unlikely to reveal any of the 'how' and 'why', though. I don't think many even think of it or even think of their own behavior at all, which is just incredible. I guess it's something similar to the numbness I was speaking of in this question.
Insight can be a double-edged sword, if you know what I mean.