Susan Griffin's "Our Secret" Essay

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"The Secrets of Our Secret"

Throughout "Our Secret" Griffin explores the different characters' fears and secrets and she gives specific insights into these "secrets". Through examining others Griffin comes to terms with her own feelings, secrets, and fears. She relates to Himmler, Leo, Helene, and everyone else even though she is different than all of them. One fact that can be made about all of these characters is that they all represent humans and human emotion First, Griffin reveals that there is a hidden side to everyone that is only known within, and anything outside could be a false representation, or imposter. "I think of it now as a kind of mask, not an animated mask that expresses the essence of an inner truth, but a …show more content…
At the time Griffin couldn't understand her grandfather's hatred, but now she could find reasons to why he feels that way. She does this throughout the essay with each character.
The character of Himmler is also found with this same ignorance, which creates hatred toward others. He can order the executions of millions of Jews, but can't stand to watch them suffer. This is another example of ignoring something to shield themselves to what is really happening. Himmler does not see the executions so he cannot have any feelings for the innocent people dying. If Himmler could relate himself to these people he could better understand them, but his ignorance keeps him from relating. That all starts with the feelings that he has inside that are hidden.
The character of Leo reveals his secrets to Griffin, and breaks down to her as he recollects past feelings and experiences. He tells of his hatred for homosexuals, and how when he was younger he and his buddies would beat up a homosexual boy. This is therapeutic for Leo because he breaks down the barrier and reveals his true feelings to Griffin. The secret creates the barrier to others and Leo reveals his secrets to Griffin, so in doing so he is also breaking down the barrier. She writes:
It is said that when boys or young men attack a man they find effeminate or believe to be homosexual they are trying to put at a distance all traces of
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