Georgie Loves His Blankie

Thomas de Zengotita does some psychoanalysis:

Little George is sinking into the swamp of humiliation he recognizes, at some level, as his rightful home. Big George and Bar know that's where he belongs. Jeb too. Little George is having those dreams again. He’s cheerleading at Andover, jumping up and down, yelling through his megaphone. Slowly it dawns on him. He has no pants on. But he keeps jumping up and down. There’s nothing else he can do. The dread creeps over him. Soon the audience will notice his nakedness...

Picture the dinner where he asked [Miers] to take the big job. Nice Mommy Laura and Nice Mommy Harriet, doting on Little George. Imagine the glow. He’s telling himself he’s taking care of those who have been loyal to him. That allows him to maintain a certain feeling of power, and of course they reassure him in every possible way on that score. But what he’s really doing his groping for his personal pillow, his blankie. He wants to snuggle down forever in a cozy place. He’s humming that old country tune—

“Make the world go away...”