Evaluation of the Grinch Character - Research Paper Example

Case Study: The Grinch From an analysis of the Grinch character, it is evident that Grinch personality fits well in the theories of Freud, Adler, Maslow, Freud, amongst others. According to UNC Medicine (2009), Grinch can be described as a character that has deviant behaviors that result from his negative views on the society. In the holiday season, Grinch is seen to be lonely whilst the rest of the society is having fun and celebrating (UNC Medicine, 2009). The merrier the neighbors get, the more Grinch gets angry and disappointed with his life. The entire case is worse as Grinch devises a plan devises a way in which he will steal their joy and share his sorrow with them. He is seen attacking his small happy dog, and throws him down the mountain (UNC Medicine, 2009). However, his feelings of sorrow and disgust do not last for long, and as the clip ends, Clinch has a smile in his face (UNC Medicine, 2009). Grinch realizes that causing mayhem for other persons does not solve his problems, but augments them. A smiling face is automatically welcomed in the society (UNC Medicine, 2009). This essay shall attempt to assess the Psychoanalytic Therapy, Adlerian Therapy and Existential Therapy on an evaluation of the Grinch character. Psychoanalytic Therapy and Grinch As seen in the work of McWilliams (2004), Grinch’s personality can easily be analyzed. Since Grinch has no connection with the entire world, as evident in his behavior towards the society and how he treats his dog, it is evident that he is depressed (UNC Medicine, 2009). As a result, the society clearly alienates him, and in his interpretation, the society does not love him at all. His lack of love and belonging to the society leads to his being violent, aggressive and destructive. Probably one would argue that Grinch would rather be dead, from his presumed pessimistic, antagonistic and destructive characters. His love for trouble is questionable, an aspect that is in his unconscious mind. McWilliams (2004) and Corey (2012) indicate that the unconscious mind is greatly correlated to the psychoanalysis theory. A dialogue between the individual and the psychoanalyst clearly questions the mind, a process known as free association would be useful for treating stressed and depressed individuals. Corey (2012) says that based on an individual’s experiences, a patient can be taught on how to handle their experiences, how to relax and handle all experiences that may come to their minds. Schultz & Schultz (2001) argue that ones’ personality is greatly determined by the experiences one has gone through in the course of their existence. In the case of Grinch, his mind is the determiner of all his behaviors, and given a chance to share his memories of the unconscious mind, he maybe trained to realize his actions and their consequences. In an event that Grinch would be reserved, a talk with him would bring him back to normalcy. Conclusively, persons who hold back suffer from isolation, and may be destructive to the entire society, just as Grinch. Adlerian Therapy and Grinch Corey (2012) indicates that the Adlerian therapy focuses on the source of inferiority on an individual as a fact that causes denial symptoms. In the case of Grinch, his heart sizes make him feel inferior. According to UNC Medicine (2009), his heart is too small, as opposed to his previous times. Superiority complex as seen in Adler’s work, which is characterized by one’s over-ambition to achieve set dreams (Corey, 2012). Grinch has an ambition of taking over the society members in the Christmas party, an ambition that he focuses on accomplishing. Avoidance of certain ways of life is an indication of the Adler’s propositions (Corey, 2012). Avoidance of styles of life creates conflicts, as evidenced in the case of Grinch who lived on the mountain and wanted no contact with the society. Additionally, Corey (2012) argues that social interest is of essence in an understanding of personality. Social interest refers to the inner potential of being an active member of the society (Corey, 2012). In relation to UNC Medicine (2009), Grinch has issues relating to the society, its members and its activities. Conclusively, Adlerian therapy believes in the inner ability and conviction of individuals to cooperate with others in the society towards attaining the collective goal of the society. Environmental factors play a major role in determining whether an individual will gain a place in the society or not (Corey, 2012). In the long run, Grinch’s heart grows three times more, replacing his original feeling and perception of the society and its people. Existential Therapy and Grinch Cooper (2003) argues that Existential Therapy holds the belief that in as much as individuals exist as individuals in the world; they all have a desire to exist with other people in the society. This relates to the need for persons to have meaning and impact on the lives of other persons. However, with the realization that the world has no way of reciprocating on other persons to appreciate their contribution in life, they end up going back to the initial aspect of their being alone in the world. This can clearly be seen in the case of Grinch who once had a heart three times the size of what he currently has, after going through depression (UNC Medicine, 2009). Cooper (2003) confirms that in the long run after individuals realize that they are individuals in the society, they become anxious and at times withdraw from the society as Grinch did. However, Cooper (2003) argues that it is possible to lead a normal life despite the anxieties, by taking full control of our activities in the society. The decision an individual makes is a great determinant of how smooth their stay will be in the society. Existentialists advocate for acceptance to all feelings in the society, as opposed to resisting and changing them (Cooper, 2003). Grinch attempted to rebel against the society and could barely fight as an individual against the society (UNC Medicine, 2009). Good life, therefore, is based on the choices made in the past, present and in future. The physical, social, spiritual and psychological dimensions need to be in tandem for the proper functioning of the individual in the society. References Cooper, M. (2003). Existential Therapies. London: SAGE. Corey, G. (2012). Case Approach to Counseling and Psychotherapy. London: Cengage Learning. ----------- (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. London: Cengage Learning. McWilliams, N. (2004). Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: A Practitioner's Guide. NY: Guilford Press. Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2001). Theories of Personality (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. UNC Medicine. (2009). Psychoanalysis of the Grinch. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwBFqoq5uH8&feature=related. Accessed on 10th February, 2013. Read More