However, this initial admiration is fragile. It is built on a projection. Dave isn't seeing the man; he is seeing the role. He thinks Jeffcott is a god, and consequently, he feels like a supplicant. This power imbalance is the foundation of their early interactions, and it colors Dave’s internal monologue with a sense of inadequacy. He thinks Jeffcott is "great," but by extension, he thinks himself "small."
Dave comes to understand that his harsh judgment of Jeffcott is a projection of his own fears. He despises Jeffcott’s rigidity because he fears becoming rigid himself. He hates Jeffcott’s isolation because he fears that the pursuit of excellence demands a lonely life. Dave begins to realize that Jeffcott is not an obstacle, but a warning—or perhaps a map. What Does Dave Think About Professor Jeffcott