Popular Culture Review Vol. 3, No. 2, August 1992 | Page 12
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away," she insists. "Two niggers tried to kill us in the jungle, and we
got outta the jungle, and we're still breathing, and that's that" (96).
Sherman counters her argument with some mild objections but
ultimately fails—not because his own argument is weak but because
his vanity is still too powerful. Indeed, what Maria lacks in moral
scruples she possesses in savvy, about situations and about people.
Her claim that, because of their wealth and position, they will be
judged harshly turns out to be valid, but more telling than ttiat is her
knowledge of Sherman McCoy. Whereas he admits to himself that
"he barely knew her" (97), she apparently knows him very well and
plays him like an instrument. Subtly appealing to his pride, his
vanity, his adolescent narcissism, she plants the idea that they have
survived a jungle fight, and that interpretation of events ignites his
narcissistic yearnings. He soon begins to congratulate her and to boast
about their "achievement," immaturely reflecting on the fact that
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