# What Self-Deception and Delusion means in Nightmare Abbey

> Characters consistently deceive themselves about their own motives and emotions, from Mrs. Glowry's avarice disguised as practicality to Scythrop's belief in his own heroic destiny, a theme underscored by the epigraph about the 'dark lantern of the spirit.'

## Explanation

Characters consistently deceive themselves about their own motives and emotions, from Mrs. Glowry's avarice disguised as practicality to Scythrop's belief in his own heroic destiny, a theme underscored by the epigraph about the 'dark lantern of the spirit.'

Scythrop's grandiose plans to reform the world and his interpretation of the seven sold copies as a mystical omen highlight his self-deception and detachment from reality.

Scythrop's elaborate secret tribunal reverie is interrupted by the real Marionetta, exposing the gap between his imagined drama and actual events.

Mr. Glowry and Mr. Toobad delude themselves that Scythrop will prefer the gloomy heiress over Marionetta, ignoring Scythrop's genuine feelings.

Scythrop's schemes for regenerating the world stall as he is consumed by his feverish obsession with Marionetta, illustrating his self-deception about his own priorities.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nightmare_abbey_se/concepts/cos-self-deception-and-delusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nightmare_abbey_se
- All concepts: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nightmare_abbey_se/concepts