How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
You couldn't ever win an argument with Archie. He was too quick with his words. (2.9)
Like Brother Leon, Archie uses his verbal prowess to manipulate those around him.
Quote #2
"Are you perfect, Bailey? All those As – that implies perfection. Is that the answer, Bailey?" (6.36)
Don't you hate it when people ask you a question that you can't answer without incriminating yourself? This is what's called a "loaded question." It's used to manipulate, rather than to engage in meaningful debate.
Quote #3
You could take a kid's lunch money and nothing usually happened because most kids wanted peace at any price. (7.7)
Emile uses his knowledge of basic human nature to manipulate those around him. Do you know any people like that? Essentially, he makes people pay him money to leave them alone. This is a basic bullying technique.
Quote #4
"[…] and let me point out that this sale is strictly voluntary, Trinity forces no one to participate against his wishes, this is the great glory of Trinity […]" (13.44)
Mmhm. Sure it is. Here, Brother Leon is manipulating his students by saying the exact opposite of what he means. It's effective, too. When they hear him say the word voluntary, they know they have absolutely no choice.
Quote #5
Worse than that […], he had allowed Brother Leon to blackmail him. If teachers did this kind of thing, what kind of world could it be? (16.45)
Brother Leon gives David an F on his paper to manipulate him into revealing that Jerry's initial refusal is just a Vigil stunt. David doesn't seem to care about The Vigils, but the fact that he trades the info for the chance at a better grade is a huge blow to his self-esteem. He no longer trusts himself or Leon.
Quote #6
Was it because of what Brother Leon does to people like Bailey, they way he tortures them, tries to make fools of them in front of everybody? (18.15)
Jerry's refusal to sell chocolates is a stand against manipulation, even though he isn't completely aware of this. He's in the thick of things, and even his own motivations aren't clear to him.
Quote #7
"If the sale goes down the drain, you and The Vigils also go down the drain. Believe me…" (24.30)
Sometimes manipulation can be quite blunt and matter-of-fact, like here. Leon knows when the direct approach is effective and when to be slimy and seemingly subtle, like he is with David Caroni.
Quote #8
[…] he knew his days at Trinity would be numbered if he walked into that group of jubilant guys and told them to erase the fifty beside his name. (30.43)
The Vigils are manipulating the sales results to make it look like everybody is participating except Jerry. The Goober is indirectly manipulated into going along with their scheme.
Quote #9
"If you want to get under a guy's skin, accuse him of being something he isn't. Otherwise, you're only telling him something he knows." (33.9)
Thanks for the evil advice, Archie. He knows that if you falsely accuse a person, he or she will go to great lengths to prove you wrong, and can thus be manipulated into acting against their own interests.
Quote #10
"Want to get even, Renault? […] Strike back. Get revenge. Show them what you think of their goddamn chocolates?" (35.9)
After being beat up, threatened, and ostracized by the other students, Jerry's bound to want revenge, right? Archie capitalizes on this emotion, manipulating Jerry into attending the raffle. As soon as Jerry shows up, he realizes his mistake. And this makes him want revenge even more.