The glass wall

Wall.

Each of us has undeveloped capacities for effective

living out of the mental and emotional

forces at work within us the minds of men

everywhere.

It is that we

work in these programs

every day in the lives of.

Magazines do you want to be there in the hall Chris with the others.

Well run him around the corner into the living room. But not too far. We've got to

wax this floor. Now I know it's

got to be done looking at it. I don't see anything wrong with it.

Scratch using things where the baby spill not to mention skid marks from your

sneakers and a few reminders that spooky lives here.

Well gosh mommy can't blame spooky just a dog.

He's a very special dog and we love him but he's not the best thing in the world for followers.

Go for that. Hey what color did you Great Caesar's ghost what happened if they were

clean out his closet funnyman.

We're just trying to dig out some of the clutter before Jennifer gets here. Where I stand it looks

like quite an assignment I know. Isn't it awful. It just goes all in and all.

I feel like somebody who tried to break off a string and unraveled the whole thing.

But Jennifer's house is such streamlined perfection. What's wrong with that house.

Nothing Chris. Not a thing. It just looks lived in.

That's what I think most of the time. But looking at it like Jennifer will

it's just plain messy. Gosh who is this lady a

queen or something. She's a very old friend of mine Chris. We work together before we

were married and I don't suppose you've ever met anybody quite like her. She's

married and has a family and she lectures and writes articles for newspapers and

magazines and she's president of this I'm chairman of that and everything she

does she does beautifully. She sounds terrible. GRIMM Well

she's not. She's terrific. You see it's very important to me to

have things right for us.

Oh ok skipper where you're man aren't we fell a sure thing.

If only MS nettles hadn't got sick just when we only it's Mrs. nettles with six willing

sex willing. That reminds me. Were you scared.

She was helping with the magazines dish she ran across an article on how to be

popular. Now she just sittin up there read man.

Well you tell her she'll be mighty popular around here if she'll come get these curtains down.

I've got to go see if the slip covers are dry and then I'll start supper and I've got to get that paid for the yard Gerry's

before the Fix-It Shop closes. We never did.

Why do I think we don't have time to get fancy just make them white. Why did it all window.

And why don't you and Chris know what all those magazines into the station wagon so they can go to the

hospital tomorrow. We were taken by on the way to the train. That's where the whole floor for

waxing to night and I'll get Kathy to run across to Marty's and get the baby before she starts on the

curtains. Then he can ride with you when you go for the pate and Kristen.

Radio-TV the University of Texas presents the minds of men

a series of explorations into effective living. Written by the Durham

plans and directed by R. C. Norris. These programs are prepared

with the assistance and counsel of the Hogg foundation for Mental Hygiene. And

produce done the rest special grant from the Educational Television and Radio Center in

cooperation with the National Association of educational broadcasting.

Their aim. A keener understanding of the forces universally at work and

the minds of men.

In our efforts to achieve stable and harmonious ways of living with

ourselves and other people we are often inclined to view our

emotions as troublesome and disquieting processions indeed.

We are quick to see within us and around us the dilemmas wrought by feelings

attitudes and convictions that got out of hand or out of bounds.

Dismayed by emotion display stock poorly utilized. We may

fail to realize that abundant living owes its vitality

to these very needs feelings and values adequately

expressed and properly channeled fearing that we pay far too

much feeling with too much pain that deep involvement

demands too high a price. We may retreat cravenly from life's

direct path. We may be between our So and the

world a protective wall behind which we cringe and sterile

security save a life from life's has

and it's.

Coming.

Yes indeed I do wish you'd sit up here in front with quite cozy back here

with my parrot.

I just can't believe you're here. It's too good to be true. Worked out perfect

of course because I could come straight here from the Children's Hospital dedication have this

time with you make my speech to the city for the welfare meeting

having to double back home. Isn't she amazing.

How do you do it. Children's Hospital speeches to your

friends organizations and to the woman always had

somebody under wing I'm sure she still does

but not on a national global scale. Just PTA and hospital

volunteers right here at home and padding about fifty leagues. It's a bit strange

but someone has to do these things. There's such a widespread need such a

challenge and it must be wonderful to know you're doing so much good. I imagine it's very

fulfilling very sad.

Oh yes. How was your trip from Kansas City. Not too pleasant kind of

care much for train don't you. I love them. They're so clubby. That's just it you see I'm

not very keen about getting involve with people I never saw before and won't see again.

My gregarious wife would never understand. She would if she'd been in my place today a woman across the

aisle traveling with five small children. I don't suppose any one of them could have been over

seven. Oh dear. Exactly. I don't know why anybody would undertake

such a thing. The baby was sick. I suppose it was a cry constantly and the rest

were all over everywhere whining and climbing and smearing cookies. The

mother was such a dreary and effectual little creature I didn't anybody lend a hand.

I really don't know I fled to the diner. There wasn't a club car. Happily they got

off someplace but that's what I mean about trains. I see your point.

Charming town Maggie really delight. Do you think so. We feel it's pretty but

we're prejudices treaties nobody prepared me for the trees they're magnificent.

Well I thought maybe tomorrow we could take a drive around electricity. Let's make

it this evening I've got to work on my speech tomorrow I didn't get a thing done on the train as you

can imagine. Let's drive around for a bit. It'll be enormously

restoring for all of us to look a shade beg yourselves and we'll have dinner

somewhere my treat.

Well I don't know about the children. Kristin kak you're with the baby now he's

asleep but we can't leave them.

Maybe Marty would come over and stay with their neighbors just next door.

The only thing is I've gone on and on and on so about you Jin about a

special person you are and the children the older ones Chris and khaki they

fixed a sort of surprise for you.

A kind of special Well isn't that light. Can you imagine such a thing

they must be wonderful youngsters when you call Maggie

tell them I'm utterly and chanted and we'll have their surprise the very first thing

tomorrow they're going to be disappointed. Not really do you think. Not if we make it

up to them. When you stop they stop someplace rock and pick up some gifts for the

children that always smooth things with mind I know and while they are phoning

you could be telling me something they'd particularly like to have.

More coffee day and yeah I mean maybe that'll do what I can't seem to get a ruling this morning

poor thing we kept you up too late. But you get to talk to you gals reminiscing about old

times.

I know I know it drags on of course you could have torn yourself away and gone to bed.

Not when the reminiscing got so informative informative. I didn't know for

instance that Bill Cantrill used to be your property. Oh that yeah that.

How did it happen Maggie mind that your best friend this wonderful creature whose praises you

constantly sings snag your best bow unmarried jealous. Just

curious. I don't always have the impression you and Jennifer were so close we were

and in this particular form of piracy pass for proof of friendship. It wasn't like

that you don't understand. I'm afraid I don't have any. You explain it to me.

Jennifer couldn't help it. Men just went for hour after they'd seen you

first. Goodness I wasn't any competition. Jennifer

was oh everything just about perfect. Even her

name Jennifer Denning. I used to love saying it. It just

sort of sang itself. And then you tried out against Maggie Dirks who

would've gone for Jennifer. I wouldn't tell you didn't have a chance. You never saw her till yesterday.

The cracks still go as I think you're Jennifer Denning all things considered is a pretty cold

fish. Give me Maggie savory time. You're just partial because you're used to

me. I know what I know. And in my opinion Bill Cantrell showed mighty poor

judgment. What's he like Anyway this unperceptive character.

Oh he's nice. A big friendly sort of Jennifer's movie

mad a lot. When I saw them in Joplin he was quite attractive.

You sound wistful freckled face. You're not sorry you got away. Not one bit.

I've got what I want. How about you Are you sorry. Listen is a kid

sorry when somebody walks off and leaves on an electric train. It's not me. I'm

not sorry I bet you one thing though. What's that. I bet you Bill Cantrell

is.

Jan Oh Jim it's Maggie.

Breakfast on the house.

Meg you should have here let me know just stay put

there. How's that. But you'll spoil me.

I thought it was the least I could do after your smashing success last night. That's the best

speech we've ever had at an annual meeting. Did they like me. They ate it up. Service

members and husbands. I've had seven phone calls already this morning. You

were just what we needed Jennifer. You know some of the men around here they were kind

of funny about our service League work. They didn't take it seriously. Some thought it was

just proof just social stuff and some of the others thought we were putting in time we ought to be

spending on our own family. Then what do they think now. What could they think.

You make them sit up and take notice. Oh you're marvelous Jennifer. Oh

are the way you got up there and made him see that what goes on in our communities

vitally affects our homes and how women have a responsibility for community

welfare how they owe it to their families to discharge that responsibility.

Well you were dynamic when I got so excited I had goose bumps. How does it

feel Jane. I just wonder sometimes how does it feel to be what you

are to do what you're able to do.

It doesn't feel any way at all Meg. You know you might have known you'd be model I

mean it. Don't you ever get the feeling that everything's gone kind of

stay empty.

You're just tired Jim is not that I don't deny it for heaven's sake.

You don't know what it does for me to know you can get tired. You know why don't you eat your

breakfast and then spend the whole rest of the morning in bed. No no no not have got to

be out most of the morning anyway. I got to pick up some medicine at the drugstore for Mrs. nettles and take her some

clean sheets when I take her leggy This is ridiculous. Why is it you don't have one thing to

do that can't.

I don't mean me. I mean you live with all you've got to do. Let this woman

impose on you like this woman Ms nettles.

She's not imposing she's saying if she's sick in your entirely without help while she is

sick seems to me you've done enough holding her job for all this time without

running your legs all fetching our medicine changing our bed cooking our meals were

fond of MS nettles. She's worked for us since Kathy was a baby. I want to take

care of her take care of her by all means but with a check or a new service

something. But don't dissipate your own energies. Don't get yourself

personally involved. People like that. They'll eat you alive

if you let them.

This doesn't sound like you Jennifer. Why you do more good. You help more people

than anybody I know out this way.

It's messy emotional you get in too deep. Not if you care about the

people. But do you can you I don't think so.

I saw my mother wear herself out in grubby sticky

demeaning little ministrations to a pack of ailing relatives. Her

mother her brother her sister waiting on them hand and foot

embroiled in every every page break heart murmur

years at all the time I was growing up. We lived our days to the tune of their

aches and their remedies and their peevish complaints and we were too

close to them.

She couldn't get out. Maybe she didn't want to Jennifer.

She loves this place. Let's serve it. That was

you know I want to talk about I want to get.

AS.

Well as got the kids by that young one of ours is a handful. I thought I heard

sounds of beyond a doubt. How about some more coffee before I tackle the kitchen

would be enough. I'm sorry about this evening Jennifer. So is Maggie but

with Mrs nettle so much worse there wasn't anything she could do except stick around. I don't

understand it. Yesterday the old girl was doing fine.

She probably will be tomorrow. In the mean time Maggie's a very lucky girl to

have you take it. How else would I take a very lucky girl

anyway.

Yeah well thanks

for that you get a cup of coffee. Is that all I get. Sugar maybe or cream.

Nothing from my coffee. I see that you might think

I'm an attractive woman and I don't think Bill would like that. I don't think they'll let

on. Well just on the off chance that you don't have to bother about what

things. It takes care of one obstacle. What about Maggie.

She said Mrs. nettles didn't you say so. Where do we go from here.

Where ever you say one of Maggie's men was so palatable you think you'd

like to I don't have the album. You don't

wait a minute the double talk is getting too thick for me.

What does that mean. Feels left me is what left

deserted walked out. I don't see any tears and you won't. Not for

bail but you might if you'd come closer. See a slow Burton

and that's for the great Jerry walked out with creature just sitting there in a two

bit nightclub blousy loud overpainted commoners dured

He says she's human. Human.

Well well where is that double talk.

Yeah it means so control finally wised up after all.

It means so. Jennifer's got to prove herself to herself by beckoning again

but it won't work Jennifer.

Not with me. Not for several reasons. Name one Maggie.

Name another. You think you can handle that one. You know I think so.

I don't know. But here's another. I'm not a hankering to bash my

nose against that glass wall or double talk. I'm a

cold hard fact. What class was the one you live behind

your lady where you can see and be seen.

But you can't touch or be touched. That's not true. Sure it's true. And it's going

to stay true because you'd be afraid to come out here where Bill and his creature

and Maggie and I and the other people live Jennifer. There are things out here that could mess you up

tear you apart people things like love and hate and fear and

anger and need and greed. You'd have to risk yourself Jennifer

and that's taking quite a chance.

We're mighty hard on perfection out here we write little dirty words like human nature all over it.

You wouldn't like that. You couldn't take it. So you stay behind your glass

wall. It's a little sterile I expect. But it's safe

and we'll look through at you from time to time. Maggie Dirksen I.

Was. Angry. No

no no.

No you know

I know to discuss psychological death as we found it in the glass wall. Here are Dr.

John R. research director of the World Federation for mental health for London England.

And Dr. Robert L. Sutherland director of the Hogg foundation for Mental Hygiene

the University of Texas glass walls

fences protective barriers.

Jackie we all have them. Ours is an abnormal and exceptional

case.

Oh I think this is an abnormal case. The story of a woman who

certainly has become very unpleasant and I simply this is a.

Not exactly with this distinguished lady but I think we all do have gospel of

some kind sometimes it's shyness of course that people erect as a

method of keeping away from other people and away from the

real needs of humanity that's to say from the ability to love and to

accept love and accepting love is sometimes more difficult than giving

love and doing so.

Yes and here is another glass wall I heard recently of a person who talks

fast who talks incessantly who connects one sentence and paragraph

with the word and then goes right on and says it all over again.

Is this kind of incessant talking. Another type of glass wall you

suppose.

I think so certainly I think it's really the protection of ourselves against possible

criticism we something we can best silence anyhow and they're always

afraid that if they do speak they may be criticised they may say something

foolish. But I don't think really that that's quite the case with

this woman Jennifer. I think that to you one must have some sympathy also

for her as well as disliking the characteristics she developed because I think she suffered a bit

at the hands of her mother her mother was a bit too much preoccupied or too much

anxious to earn a nice seat in heaven for herself by doing things or so it would sound at

least from the play we've heard and I think that she got her

dislike of this sort of thing partly from her mother.

Well now you ask it we have a bit of sympathy for Jennifer if Jennifer is

to be helped or if she is to change or if she's to respond to this

tolerance you mention I suppose she will have to get a little insight about

herself. Can she. Does a person ever get to know himself

better.

We weren't told Jennifer's age but I picture was in the 40s. I think she probably

got some from this man Bill. He dealt with us likely

roughly about prep setters which is necessary because you got a fairly hard shell to crack.

I think the important thing really is that people should recognize these sort of tendencies

much earlier on in life and they see children who don't get the right

kind of love who are perhaps feeling neglected because

their parents are doing a job or profession or do gooders of various kinds a

little bit too much. And if you don't get love then you look for part of

Mrs. where Jennifer clearly had been doing Hadji.

You mean a parent or a teacher might see the beginning of this tension of either of them could see it

quite easily I think.

And it's a parent's responsibility primarily I suspect.

And if they sought what might they do about it.

I think that by giving more real love by showing people the

children that love of other people is something that matters much more than just

being in the limelight or being an important member of the household

and that what matters is how much we care for people.

Here's this girl doing all kinds of public jobs and it's an awful lesson to many of us.

But she doesn't love people just like them. And this must be because

she didn't get love and like you know the right kind I would suspect.

Well now doesn't that kind of love lead to indulgence.

I don't think so but all the sense of love is a sense of security and that people

respect you and the people like you and people trust you and people thank you when you've got a job well of

your prey's and that can therefore safely give you some criticism and so on so that you

become an ordinary human being who thinks more about the real job to be

achieved than about your own standing your own status and reputation.

Here what's wrong here here's another person who has erected a glass wall or

some kind of a wall. He loves to have a chance to get furious at

someone. What do you suppose might cause a person to love

that opportunity.

I think part of the sense that you can control people's destiny is you can manage people

provided it isn't any personal bother to you which you don't get involved like this book preacher Jennifer

felt she was avoiding everything real. But she always wanted the

sense of part of limelight. And we know these types Oh well the

bossy the bossy woman or the bossy man equally of course. You

see them so often.

Now Jennifer was trying to hold other people off. She did not want to get

emotionally involved. She could stand on a platform and deliver the most

eloquent mental health talks. But when a maid or a child

needed help she avoided it. Do you think that when people try to

avoid these emotional relationships they often become managerial

in an effort to keep things from happening to them.

Very often I mean sometimes it's necessary I think that a doctor or a social worker perhaps has

to keep a certain detachment from people. They couldn't get involved entirely in them but the ordinary

human being human man or woman does get involved and must get involved

in must be. It's what we what we are not what we say that matters. So this is

what's wrong with Jennifer she can talk good stuff on the platform and I'm sure probably very wise

stuff probably taken straight out of the book. Or an article. But when it came to

being somebody she fell down and the only thing she could try to be was a bossy important

person who got credit for all sorts of people I was told she was beautiful or something else pathetic.

Now here's another glass wall a man who loves to use jargon and use fancy

words technical language. Do you know other glass walls that we sometimes

erect to keep us away from people and away from dealing with them simply and directly.

Well just offhand I don't think I'm easily except the one I quoted just now I think the Chinas and

withdrawal from all contact is now the glass will quite obviously. But this use of

jargon elaborate language and so on gobbledygook I believe you go to your country

is a very obvious method of evading the real thing.

Now how do I know what my glass walls are.

How do I get out I will go to look at yourself occasionally with as much sense of humor as you can muster

bub. I don't have found the glass walls the way I think we

all of us have to be if we're to be he'll say we've got to be a bit self-critical at times and ask why we're

doing a job and whether we really love the people for whom we're working or whether we

love ourselves.

You think even an adult can learn about himself a bit short of course at any age.

Dennys easier when a child of any age. So you don't give up on us. I

do not.

The glass wall one of a series of explorations into effective living

titled the minds of men.

A presentation of radio television at the University of Texas taking part in the

discussion in today's broadcast where Dr. John R. Rees director of the World

Federation for Mental Health and Dr. Robert L. Sullivan

director of the Hogg foundation for Mental Hygiene the University of Texas. These

programs were prepared for broadcast under the supervision of Robert F. Thank you. Special

Music by Eleanor Paige cookie Smith was heard as Jennifer

as then. The series narrator. And speaking.

This program is distributed by the National Association educational

broadcasters.

And Radio Network.