In a new blog post, Kristen Lamb discusses another psychological type that makes for great storytelling: the gaslighting narcissist. Urban Dictionary helpfully defines gaslighting as “a form of intimidation or psychological abuse, where false information is presented to the victim, making them doubt their own memory, perception and quite often, their sanity.”
The way writers use gaslighting can vary. “In the classic dystopian novel 1984, the government is gaslighting the public,” Lamb notes. “Regardless what the ‘people’ in your story see with their own eyes, the propaganda machine is there to say it isn’t real and, therefore, something must be wrong with anyone who dares disagree.” In fact, government gaslighting is a mainstay of science fiction, as in The X-Files, Men in Black, or any story invoking Area 51.
Narcissistic villains are also a mainstay of horror, mystery, and even literary works. “Not all are crazy or violent. Some are well-meaning (in their own minds),” Lamb notes. “Their self-absorption can come from psychological immaturity or they don’t believe they can get what they want unless they manipulate. Not all narcissists are gaslighting ‘intentionally.’”
In light fiction, your gaslighter might be merely self-centered or clueless. You might have a manipulative boss or parent, who is relentless but not evil. Gaslighting might take the form of convenient forgetting or small lies. Convincing someone that the didn’t see something they clearly experienced is a common comedy trope, Lamb adds. And that brings us right back around to horror.
“Comedy and horror are the closest of bedfellows,” Lamb says. “What do you get when horror is TOO over the top? Comedy. Conversely, what about when a joke/prank goes horribly wrong? Horror.”
Once you identify your genre, you’ll know what kind of narcissist you need and how they’ll use gaslighting. Unlike light fiction, gritty thrillers and crime fiction need an intentional villain, one strong and bad enough to drive your story. “Gaslighting is a highly destructive tool that can cause permanent harm,” Lamb says. “If we do our jobs right, our readers will be strapped into the Rollercoaster from Hell alongside your protagonist. WE should be questioning reality if your narcissist is worth his/her salt.”
Lamb walks through the steps a narcissist will take to manipulate their victim, from questioning their memories or emotional state, to denying reality, to engaging allies in their campaign of abuse. “Once a narcissist has their victim publicly labeled as mentally unstable, unable to care for themselves, an addict, an abuser, a pervert, a cheater, a liar, a thief? There is almost no end to the level of destruction they can unleash,” Lamb says.
