Then I met a woman named Janine who was bitten and had to spend a week in the hospital. It was completely my own fault, she said. I shouldn't have been wearing sandals. It didn't have to strike you, I reminded her. It could have just slid away. Janine was the type who'd likely blame herself for getting mugged. It's what I get for having anything worth taking! she'd probably say.
In the book "Calypso" by David Sedaris, a woman named Janine shares her experience of being bitten by an animal and spending a week in the hospital. She attributes the incident to her own mistake of wearing sandals, highlighting her tendency to accept blame for unfortunate events. This reflects her character, as she would likely even take responsibility for being mugged, suggesting an inclination to internalize blame for situations beyond her control.
This encounter with Janine illustrates a common human tendency to self-blame, showcasing how people often contextualize their misfortunes. Janine’s attitude raises questions about personal accountability, especially when incidents could occur without any fault of the individual involved. Her mindset reveals a deeper psychological struggle with accepting external realities and the unpredictability of life.
