Search Of Character And Cal... — The Soulвђ™s Code: In

: Hillman uses the "First Lady of Song" to illustrate how her soul's calling was so strong that it directed her through a difficult childhood, eventually manifesting in her unmistakable voice and rhythm. The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling

: Known later for her immense social influence and poise, her childhood was marked by being "sour," "stubborn," and prone to antisocial tantrums. Hillman views these difficult traits as early signs of a powerful character that refused to be easily shaped by conventional expectations.

: When he was four, Menuhin was given a toy violin. Instead of playing with it, he smashed it to the ground. Hillman interprets this not as a tantrum, but as an instinctive rejection by his inner "genius"—even at that age, a mere toy was an insult to the world-class musician he was meant to become.

: As a child, the legendary Spanish bullfighter was famously sickly and clung tightly to his mother's apron. While traditional psychology might see his career as a way to "overcompensate" for weakness, Hillman suggests his early fear was actually a premonition of his destiny—the acorn already knew he would eventually face terrifying, thousand-pound bulls.