III. THE THEORY OF COTERIE

EARLY IN ENCOUNTERING AN INSTITUTION, IDENTIFY LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE WHO MAY BECOME MUTUAL SUPPORTERS.  THIS NEED NOT TAKE ON THE ASPECT OF A CONSPIRACY, BUT IT MAY.  CONSPIRACY IS A WORD WITH TWO LATIN ROOTS MEANING "BREATHING TOGETHER."  NOT A BAD IDEA AT ALL.  ONE EXAMPLE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS STRATEGY IS BELL KAUFMAN'S CASE IN UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE.  THE TEACHER SEEKS TO SURVIVE AND EFFECT A HOSTILE NEW YORK CITY HIGH SCHOOL.  HER ONE FRIEND IN THE SCHOOL SUPPORTS HER, SENDS HER SILLY NOTES, ENCOURAGES, UNDERSTANDS AND CARES FOR HER.  KAUFMAN SEEMS ONLY MINIMALLY AWARE THAT HER EFFECT ON THE FRIEND IS MUTUAL