In Hilary Mantel's "A Place of Greater Safety," a character named Camille expresses frustration over another's past behavior, specifically how they interacted with Gabrielle's mother. Camille accuses the person of putting on an extravagant show to win over the family, emphasizing the inauthenticity of their actions through the use of exaggerated gestures and expressions.
This moment highlights the theme of social manipulation and the lengths individuals go to in order to gain favor and build relationships. The criticism suggests that such tactics are transparent and ultimately superficial, revealing the tension between genuine intentions and performative acts in personal connections.