Narrative review and interpretation someday my elders will be proud - Book Report/Review Example

with her true feelings of pride for her Native American background. While in church, she enjoyed the company of others who shared her same cultural upbringing. The atmosphere at her school was quite different-she felt more isolated. It was a college prep school which prepared her for adulthood but there was little cohesion amongst students and teachers nor a sense of attachment. This stage in Jean's life is very indicative of the psychosexual stages of latency. There is more of a gap between her cultural roots and need for family togetherness and more importance placed on school work, grades, and fitting in with classmates.

Jean's mother played a fundamental role in her life. She took care of four children by working and getting an education. Through this influence, she taught them to believe in themselves and show compassion for others. According to Freud's psychosexual stages of development, moderation is key. For example, when Jean was young, she only had an authoritarian male presence. That made her feel less worthy and more dependent on others. These characteristics followed her up through college when she developed an alcohol problem.

Alcoholism was prevalent on both sides of Jean's family-her father died because of it. Her mom was the positive influence that taught her to pursue higher education, not behave egocentrically (as shown in her work with troubled kids), and understanding concepts like the sacrifices her mother made for her kids. Freud's Oedipus complex (or Electra complex for females) was not integrated in the usual form in Jean's life because she had no father. She may have been drawn to her uncle out of fear of abuse.

This complex played itself out in the form of self-esteem. While this narrative ends up on a good note, many experiences leading up to it are discouraging. Jean grew up in poverty after her father left the family when she was at a very young age. This meant her mother was the sole breadwinner for her and her brothers. She worked during the day and took classes at night in order to obtain a college degree. Freud’s Oedipus complex (or Electra complex for females) was not integrated in the usual form in Jean’s life because she had no father.

She may have been drawn to her uncle out of fear of abuse. This complex played itself out in the form of self-esteem issues in later life. The abuse she sustained from her uncle was a precursor to battling an alcohol addiction and her reluctance to get close or intimate with men. After having been abused for so many years at such a young, impressionable age, it will leave irreparable scars that will remain in the back of Jeans mind forever. In the final stage, the genital stage of post puberty is when a person’s personality really takes shape.

If the previous stages have been worked out, they become well-adjusted and psychologically balanced adults. That is the case with Jean. This Oedipus complex became resolved when her mother was deemed the paramount influence in her life. She is an intelligent, creative adult who triumphed over adversity in order to give back to the community. She works with young kids who are troubled because she has the ability to empathize with their plight. Many of these kids are in the same boat as she was or possibly worse.