Movie character analysis (Amir) - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... For the purpose of this study, various sociological theories such as the Family systems theory, Freud's ego psychology theory, family resilience theory, Kohlberg's theory of moral development, Social dominance theory, and other behaviorism theories are studied and some of them applied to analyze the behavior and life events of the main character – Amir. These theories helped in evaluating the reasons behind his behavior, the type of social and emotional bonds with his parents (in this case his, father) and others around him (such as his friend Hassan, his father's friend Rahim) and its implications on his choices and decisions. Character sketch of the main character - Amir Amir is the protagonist and is one of the most complex characters in the film. He is described as a meek, submissive, and an emotionally vulnerable young boy whose family enjoyed a high social status in the society and hence enjoys a privileged upbringing. Owing to his wealthy family background he is accustomed to receiving whatever he wants. He is a motherless child and is brought up by a single parent (his father). He is separated from his mother, who is hinted to have passed away during childbirth1. The loss of his mother at a young age emotionally deprives him of the love and care he needs and hence craves for attention from his father. He is shown to be envious of anyone receiving attention from his father and this includes his best friend Hassan, who is favored by Amir’s father. He is often described as mean and selfish as the story progresses and he is confronted with complex events in his life. His need for attention from his father is often met with harsh criticisms and coldness. He is aware of his father’s disapproval of his behavior – the apparent lack of confidence in dealing with situations and confronting them, and is often told that his actions are shameful. He is ridden with inferiority due to constant comparisons by his father with his friend Hassan who his father perceives as brave and courageous. This behavior on the part of his father towards him indicates the subtle presence of pathogenic parenting, as described by John Bowlby in the theory of attachment. Attachment theory: According to Bowlby’s attachment theory the concept of attachment is described as “a way of conceptualizing the propensity of human beings to make strong affectional bonds to particular others and of explaining many forms of emotional distress and personality disturbance, including anxiety, anger, depression, and emotional attachment, to which unwilling separation and loss give rise (Bowlby, 1979: 103 qtd. in Trevithick, 2012: 136; Stosny, 1995). Through this theory Bowlby described the modes of behavior of individuals with the significant others and the factors and experiences during childhood and adolescence which generate such responses. In this case, the central character of the story – Amir was separated from his mother by death and was deprived of maternal care since childhood. The loss of and (unwilling) separation from his mother at such an early age caused personality disturbances which is apparent from the choices he made throughout his life. He is anxious and ...Download file to see next pagesRead More