George Eliot - The Mill on the Floss

This is a wonderfully well observed and constructed story of a similar calibre to ‘Middlemarch’ but perhaps with fewer truly breathtaking characters. Although there are several very good ones in this too. We encounter siblings, Tom and Maggie, in an amazingly well portrayed middle-class, small town, early industrial setting. We journey through their, by turns, oppressive and idyllic childhood to the pressures of adolescent expectations to the sadness and tragedy of loss and familial disintegration and then further to young adult issues of sexual awakening, love, loyalty, belief and societal perception.

One theme that struck me is the stupidity and foolishness of pride and intransigence.  The father of the family, a Mr. Tulliver, is rigidly steadfast in his beliefs with disastrous consequences including, indirectly, his own demise.  His son too suffers via his immutable attitude to his sister.  The childhood friend of the siblings turned boatman in later life, Bob, shows a form of steadfast, unchanging loyalty that casts immovable opinions in a more favourable light. However, ultimately, it’s hard to award this outlook the highest moral or ethical accolades owing to its simplicity. For instance, he offers to beat up anyone who has offended Maggie without questioning their motives. Of course, there is much that I admire in this unconditional loyalty but is it not also a form of the immutable attitudes that appear to be criticised in other passages?  Philip, a disabled schoolmate of Tom's who later becomes Maggie's clandestine lover owing to the animosity between his father and Mr Tulliver, or Lucy, a cousin of the Tullivers might come closest to the type of heroine or hero but largely because they're minor characters and aren't developed as fully as the main protagonists.

To me, this is not a straightforward exemplary tale of ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ but rather a dissertation on the complexity of life, psychology and emotions.  There are no, or perhaps few, unequivocal heroes and all the characters show the admixture of good and bad we all know so well. We admire Tom for his gritty determination but despise his heartless and uncharitable attitude to his sister. Similarly, we're touched by his faithful adherence to his dead father's wishes but despair of his dogmatic cruelty to Philip. We admire Maggie's intelligence and bravery in the face of much societal criticism but can hardly do the same for her swooning at the advances of her kindly cousin Lucy's lover.

Much time is spent on the misery of the human condition and this is really brilliantly rendered. For example, “We live from hand to mouth, most of us, with a small family of immediate desires - we do little else than snatch a morsel to satisfy the hungry brood, rarely thinking of seed-corn or next year’s crop”, and “human life...is a narrow, ugly, grovelling existence, which even calamity does not elevate, but rather tends to exhibit in all its bare vulgarity of conception” . The pain and strife of the two young adults, thrust into a hard life prematurely by the financial ruin and death of their father, is heart wrenching to read. Both seek partial respite, Maggie in love and Tom in commerce working to regain what his father lost, but fail to find it or become disillusioned along the way.

To me the book is really about the duality of human life and emotion; at once, sublime and sinful, beautiful and disgusting, from which no one is exempted. This wonderful passages summarises better than I ever could: “All people of broad, strong sense have an instinct repugnance to the men of maxims; because such people early discern that the mysterious complexity of our life is not to be embraced by maxims, and that to lace ourselves up in formulas of that sort is to repress all the divine promptings and inspirations that spring from growing insight and sympathy.  And the man of maxims is the popular representative of the minds that are guided in their moral judgement solely by general rules, thinking that these will lead them to justice by a ready-made patent method, without the trouble of exerting patience, discrimination, impartiality - without the care to assure themselves whether they have the insight that comes from a hardly-earned estimate of temptation, or from a life vivid and intense enough to have created a wide fellow-feeling with all that is human”.

Joe Navarro - What Every Body is Saying

   If she keeps playing with her hair it means she fancies you.  If they cross their arms it means they don't.  Everyone is familiar with the concept of body language as expressed by simplistic, quasi-scientific rules such as these.  One of the things I liked most about Navarro's book is that it eschews basic X means Y type formulations and attempts to locate the art of reading body language in a broader, richer context that any matter relating to the highly complex matter of human psychology clearly deserves.
   Navarro himself was an FBI expert on reading body language, using his skills in the field and latterly to teach agents and law enforcement officers about the subject.  Interestingly, he links the early development of his skills to his experience as a child; he was the son of an immigrant family who spoke no English.  In this environment, he says, you quickly learn a lot about body language! Navarro appears decidedly well versed in the academic literature of his field, the text is well referenced and the list of further reading is extensive.  Throughout one has a sense of a man immersed in his chosen profession.
    Before we move through a survey of the different types of 'language' each part the body may be 'speaking' it is worthwhile to highlight a few general points Navarro is a pains to make plain.  He counsels a cautious, reasoned approach.  First, scientific research in the field is conclusive: There is no 'Pinocchio Effect' akin to the statements made in the first two sentences.  Even the most skilled professional can only hope for a success rate of c.60% and will make lots of mistakes.  Indeed, even the famous polygraph is only 60-80% accurate depending on the operator.  Inevitably, this will cause some people to cry foul.  Here I see considerable similarities to the fund management industry; is it all just luck?  I suppose know one truly knows but I am prepared to accept there is skill in both.  One thing is certain, neither are sciences!  Given this background, Navarro suggests we must begin by observing what a persons normal, comfortable behaviour looks like; establishing a control.  A large part of this is asking neutral questions, in a neutral tone whilst using neutral body language yourself.  Also, sufficient time must be left between questions to allow for full observation.  This is probably a lot harder than it might initially seem.  One of the things that made me feel that there might be some truth to the claims made in this book was the fact that I began to notice that I was exhibiting some of the traits identified in exactly the kind of situations described without realising it!  Once a 'control' of normal behaviour has been established we might move on to ask harder questions or broach more uncomfortable topics thus contrasting comfortable body behaviour with uncomfortable body behaviour.  Alongside this, one should try to notice if there is synchrony between verbal and non-verbal behaviour.  For example, if a person is saying they really like someone but all their body language is saying the polar opposite.  One should also pay close attention to the grouping of signs given the inherent uncertainty in interpretation. Lastly,  one must pay close attention to emphasis.  When someone is making a strongly declarative statement to which they should be passionately committed, like "you have to believe me I didn't do it", you should look for a similarly emphatic display from the body. The main point here though, to me, is "there is no single behaviour that is indicative of deception"!
   Now, what sort of things can we look for:

• Isopraxism, or mirroring behaviour, is a very strong sign of comfort as is leaning in or angling of the torso towards your conversational partner.  
• Eyes and eyebrows may slightly open or raise on the appearance of someone we like whereas they may slightly narrow for someone we dislike
• Pursed lips are almost always a sign of stress 
• Nasal dilation or flaring of the nostrils is a preparation for action as it allows more oxygen to be taken into the muscles - this can mean persons limbic brain (animal part of the brain associated with non-verbal, unconscious movements as opposed to the neo-cortex which is associated with speech &c.) is readying itself for a fight or defence
• Fight or flight is actually FREEZE-FIGHT-FLIGHT: in the first instance of danger humans, like many other animals, freeze to limit danger.  This can be displayed as a lack of movement, direction of eyes downward, shoulders hunched up, head down like the person is trying to hide.  Flight is rarely physical with humans today and is usually expressed as blocking like putting one's hands over one's face, closing eyes, rubbing eyes, placing something in one's lap or in front of themselves, leaning away, turning feet to the exit or placing one's heel down with the toes up like they're about to start a race. Fight, again, is rarely physical, but is the process of turning fear to rage and limits the ability to think clearly.  Associated physical behaviour may be puffing out one's chest, making oneself bigger, invading other's space and using verbal abuse
• When feeling uncomfortable, stressed or insecure about a question or topic of discussion people will often use pacifying movements to offset these feelings.  Examples include touching, especially the neck but can be face and legs too, or stroking, rubbing cheeks and lips from the inside with the tongue, exhaling slowly with puffed out cheeks, chewing gum faster, smoking more.  Men prefer to touch the face or neck, which contains a nerve for slowing the heart rate, whereas women prefer to play with jewellery, clothing, arms, hair.  Other signs associated with this type of behaviour are massaging earlobes, licking lips, stroking thighs with palms down, ventilating neck by moving collar or tossing hair 
• Feet and legs tell us the most from a body language perspective and this may be because of their importance in hunting behaviour
• Jiggly, bouncing or swinging feet can be associated with elation but can also be impatience or restlessness so it is important to look for groupings, synchrony and emphasis alongside this
• Ordinarily people talk toe to toe so if one person has L-shaped feet or their feet point away from the person towards the door this can mean they want to leave
• When you interrupt a conversation between others and their feet don't turn towards you with their torso to greet you then they may not want you to join them
• Both hands on knees, usually with a move forward or a lean, means that the person wants to leave
• Bouncing on balls of feet, standing on tip toes and pointing one foot to the ceiling when sitting are associated with happiness or receiving good news
• Increasingly wide splaying of legs can indicate an increasing level of unhappiness and is an attempt to claim more territory
• Crossed legs is a sign of comfort and confidence and may point in the direction of the person most favoured.  Crossing away, forming a barrier with the upper leg, is a negative behaviour whereas crossing towards, pointing to the other person with the upper knee, is a positive sign
• Women dangling shoes of their toes is a sign of relaxation
• After you meet someone if you take a step backwards they will usually - 1) step towards you - +ive 2) stay put - neutral 3) step back themselves -ive
• Jiggling feet is quite a neutral behaviour but can turn to kicking or freezing when questions / topics become unpleasant or stressful
• Attempts to lock ankles, especially for men as many women wearing skirts do it anyway, or hide feet behind chair legs or under the chair are defensive posture
• Lot of chattering doesn't mean innocence and silence doesn't imply guilt; these are both neutral when take in isolation
• Hands up when making statements mean, 'please, I beg you to believe me' whereas hands down is a much more assertive behaviour.  People telling the truth have no need to beg.

TORSO

• Will lean away from what it finds unpleasant as torso contains lots of vital organs
• People who dislike each other will only turn towards each other with their heads when seated in the back seat of a car
• Buttoning ones jacket, folding arms or blocking with other objects are signs of discomfort and defence
• Men fiddling with watches, cufflinks and tie are all associated with blocking
• Coldness and hugging of pillows when others feel normal temperature can be a sign of stress or discomfort
• Torso splaying is a territorial display of disrespect - like a slouching, lounging teenager being bollocked
• Puffing out of the chest, heavier inhalations and disrobing are all signs of fight / flight mechanisms
• Partial shoulder shrugs, where one shoulder goes higher than the other or shoulders don't fully go up, indicate lack of commitment to what is being said by the shrugger.  Full shrugs are a sign of confidence and are a 'gravity defying behaviour' (arms up, jumping, bouncing feet) which are almost always positive / comfortable / happy
• Rising shoulder and lowering of neck are an attempt to hide and are associated with negative thoughts and moods

ARMS

• Arm waving is a sign of elation whereas sinking arms are a sign that things are going against us - this is very visible in sport
• Crossed arms, especially restrained arms where the hand grips the bicep, and freezing of arm movement can be a sign of anxiety and attempts not to be noticed.  Abused children often freeze in an attempt of go unnoticed and avoid abuse.  When people are doing something they shouldn't like stealing they also tend to restrict arm movement and look around a lot more than usual.
• Arms behind one's back is a sign that you perceive yourself to be higher status than those around you.  It is saying, don't touch me or come near me!  
• Reaching for physical contact, like a handshake or a hug, which is not reciprocated is highly unpleasant for humans
• In meetings when people spread out their arms and papers it is a show of power and confidence whereas people wishing to go unnoticed or with low confidence will often keep their hands in their laps and their elbows below their waist
• Arms akimbo is a territorial display of dominance and an authoritative pose indicating standing one's ground, a position of authority but less so if the thumbs point forward - which makes it more inquisitive and concerned rather than dominant
• Hands interlaced behind the head means I'm in charge and is also indicative of confidence or dominance
• Closeness of hands and arms when sitting face to face with someone indicates comfort and confidence and vice-versa
• Touching between the elbow and the shoulder is a way of establishing rapport and saying, "We're OK"
• Hugging is a great way of displaying care and affection

HANDS

• People like to be able to see hands when you are talking as it engenders trust, use them to express what you're talking about
• However, pointing and snapping fingers are aggressive, domineering behaviours and it's better to gesticulate using an open palm
• Sweaty palms don't indicate anything
• Shaking hands can indicate both joy and stress and can also result from Parkinson's, injuries and alcoholism so this sign needs to be understood in context
• Steepling is a high confidence indicator whereas interlocking and wringing is associated with stress or concern. Cupping is a higher confidence hand position.
• Pointing of the thumbs upwards, when grabbing lapels or collars, is a high confidence sign as is sticking hands in pockets with thumbs sticking out.  Equally disappearance of thumbs and hiding them is a low confidence behaviour
• Interlacing of fingers tends to be a low confidence behaviour unless the thumbs point upwards
• Thumbs in belt loops with fingers pointing down is called genital framing and is a high confidence display of sexual virility
• Interlocking fingers accompanied by rubbing or wringing is a high stress indicator

FACE

• Unpleasant or negative emotions cause tension and result in clenched jaw, flared nostrils, fixed eyes, rigid, un-tilting head position, pursed lips and disappearing or squinting eyes, quivering lips, furrow lines on the forehead.  Positive emotions tend to elicit the opposite
• Dilated pupils are associated with positive emotions and surprise whereas constricted pupils are usually associated with negative emotions as the eyes are trying to bring things into sharper focus because of a perceived danger or unpleasantness
• Raised eyebrows are a gravity defying behaviour associated with confidence and happiness whereas lowered brows are associated with negative thoughts 
• Hands in front of the eyes, touching the eyes or delayed opening and tight clenching shut are all associated with blocking negative or unwelcome thoughts
• People look away to clarify thoughts without the distraction of a person's face so this is neutral
• An increase in the rate at which we blink is associated with stress
• Looking askance conveys scepticism about the topic under discussion or the veracity of what is being said
• Fake smiling doesn't involve the eyes and usually the mouth moves sideways rather than upwards.  A real smile usually involves upward movement of the mouth as well as broadening and involves the eyes
• Increasingly disappearing lips indicate stress or disagreement especially so when the corners point downwards
• Puckered lips show disagreement and consideration of alternatives
• Sneers indicate an attitude of, 'I know more than you do' and a disrespect for the knowledge or assessment of the other person
• Lip licking is a pacifying behaviour.  Sticking one's tongue out between the teeth with no contact with the lips can mean a variety of things like, 'I got caught', 'I screwed up', 'I'm naughty' and 'I got away with something'.  It is usually displayed briefly.
• Nail biting is an insecure pacifying behaviour
• Faces associated with bad tastes or unpleasant food like mini snarls and nose crinkles indicate displeasure and can be very fleetingly displayed
• Holding one's chin and nose high shows positivity and vice versa

    Having completed this brief survey of some of the main points, Navarro also suggests that if the signs are mixed then one should always side with the negative indicator as negative feelings are expressed more strongly than positive.  He also suggests that if one has trouble interpreting a certain behaviour then a useful approach is to do it oneself and see how it makes you feel.

    Overall, I found this a useful and considered introduction to the subject.  In places the style is quite overbearingly that of a person who idealises law enforcement, "that'll be the last time he tries something like that" etc., but this is to be expect from a career law man.  One less forgivable aspect of the text, to my mind, is the infuriating habit of placing exemplary stories in shaded boxes and separating them from the text.  If the example is illuminating then it deserves to be in the text proper, if not it deserves to be omitted.  It's unclear when the reader should interrupt a sentence to read them, as they sometimes appear, or whether we should wait until the end of the book to review them as a distinct collection of narratives!  To me, it represents wrongheaded editing and confronts the reader with a jarring reading experience.  Otherwise, it was an interesting read with a couple of stylistic shortcomings.