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My book club's debate over a classic novel turned into a shouting match last Tuesday
I host a small book club at my house, and we read Jane Eyre for the first time in years. I thought it would be a quiet discussion, but two members got into a real fight about whether Rochester was a bad person or just a product of his time. Margaret kept saying he was controlling and manipulative, while Tom argued that Victorian morals don't apply today. Before I knew it, they were raising voices and Mary was near tears. I had to step in and call a 10 minute break so everyone could cool down. After that, we agreed to disagree, but I'm not sure the group will ever feel the same. Has anyone else had a book debate get this heated? How did you handle it?
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reesemoore18d ago
Did either of them calm down after the break, or is the tension still there?
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gavin_patel7218d ago
My neighbor Deb and I had a three month long feud over where the property line was for our bushes. She even called the city once and tried to get me fined. After we took a break and didnt talk for a few weeks, she finally came over with a plate of cookies and admitted she was being stubborn. We actually ended up splitting the cost of a new fence and everything. @thea_mitchell20 is totally right, that compost bin thing sounds exactly like the kind of petty drama that just hangs in the air until someone caves. I bet if they just sat down and had a beer together it would fix everything.
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