In case any of your readers have not been able to explain for themselves the behavior of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, I suggest that they might consult an analogy taken from the animal world: the alpha male.

In many species of animals, the alpha male asserts his dominance by intimidating his rivals until they submit, or he challenges them in fierce battle, often to the death, for control of the pack.

Last week, when House Speaker Paul Ryan said that he was withholding his endorsement of Trump, the Republican candidate attacked Ryan for “blindsiding’’ him and belittled and threatened him with verbal jabs.

You can count on this: If Ryan and Trump find common ground at their scheduled meeting Thursday, Trump will turn and heap praise on the latest challenger to his supremacy, while effectively dismissing him as just the latest of his vanquished foes.

Meanwhile, Trump’s followers, including many woman voters, will concede to his perceived superiority and defer to his leadership, thereby accepting the protection and security that his dominance is seen to afford them.

Now do we understand what we have in this Republican candidate for the presidency?

Carl Shuster

Stockbridge