The narcissist regards himself as one would an expensive present, a
gift to his company, to his family, to his neighbours, to his
colleagues, to his country. This firm conviction of his inflated
importance makes him feel entitled to special treatment, special
favors, special outcomes, concessions, subservience, immediate
gratification, obsequiousness, and lenience.
It also makes him feel immune to mortal laws and somehow divinely
protected and insulated from the inevitable consequences of his deeds
and misdeeds.
The self-destructive narcissist plays the role of the "bad guy" (or
"bad girl"). But even this is within the traditional social roles
cartoonishly exaggerated by the narcissist to attract attention. Men
are likely to emphasise intellect, power, aggression, money, or social
status. Narcissistic women are likely to emphasise body, looks, charm,
sexuality, feminine "traits", homemaking, children and childrearing.
Punishing the wayward narcissist is a veritable catch-22.
A jail term is useless as a deterrent if it only serves to focus
attention on the narcissist. Being infamous is second best to being
famous - and far preferable to being ignored. The only way to
effectively punish a narcissist is to withhold narcissistic supply from
him and thus to prevent him from becoming a notorious celebrity.
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