Horace can be generous and friendly when he wants to be, but is also selfish and manipulative. Why does Horace act the way he does? Do you think he ever cared about Frank and the other club members, or were his motives always self-interested?

BookBrowse Book Club The Cloak and Dagger Club Discussion
1

As club president, Horace can be generous and friendly when he wants to be, but is also incredibly selfish and manipulative. Why does Horace act the way he does? Do you think he ever cared about Frank and the other club members, or were his motives always self-interested?

2

I think Horace operated out of power. He wanted to be on top and the only way to do that was to have more leverage, which is why he collected secrets and wielded them to gain control. I also think he gathered the members together to keep those who might threaten his position in the field so he could find ways to control them. It had nothing to do with friendship.

3

I don’t think Horace ever truly cared for any of the members. He gathered people to play with and manipulate. Whether the manipulation was for his own pleasure, self aggrandizement, amusement or from boredom, it never appeared to be in true support of their careers or friendship.

4

I felt like Horace was lonely which is part of the reason he did what he did. Maybe I’m reading to much into his character but he seemed to prioritize career over anything else and when he saw others (in the group) not do what he did and actually have relationships he wanted to punish them and ruin the relationships with others.

5

Horace believed he was the best mystery writer. I think he was always out for himself and did not want anyone else to be more popular or greater than he was.

6

Horace wants to control everyone. He keeps people guessing on what will happen next. Will Horace play the villain or the hero? I think Horace is an unhappy person that somehow feels better when he embarrasses others or threatens them with telling their secrets. Horace’s motives are clearly self-interested. He wants to “keep the upper hand”.

7

I think Horace has narcissistic personality disorder. Or perhaps antisocial personality disorder. With either of these disorders it’s unlikely that he cared much about anyone unless it affected him in some way.

1 Like
8

Horace was the consummate egotist. Nothing and no one as good as he was. That’s how he could so easily justify to himself his meanness. Everyone deserved it.

1 Like
9

I agree with Susan, Gerri and Charla that Horace’s personality was centered around his own need for control. He did “nice” things for others to curry their favor while secretly, or not so secretly, amassing information that could be used against them. He liked to play games with people and definitely had narcissistic characteristics. He cared only about himself

1 Like
10

I agree with all the above. He was a lonely vindictive person.

1 Like
11

I thought his motives were always self-interested. I felt he may have had deeper problems that caused him to be this way. But he seemed always to have a selfish motive behind any friendliness.

12

He is only friendly so they let down their guard so that he can manipulate them. He wants total control over them all and thus collects their secrets to use in the future.

13

I agree with all of the opinions here. Horace truly was interested only in Horace and used the others to his advantage.

14

I did not consider this a change in Horace’s personality. I felt he was manipulative and had been that way probably most of his adult life. He really had a lot going for him, a famous author who had many admirers. He could have enjoyed a great life if he hadn’t been such a louse. Look at the way he treated Marcel, for starters. So sad!