Undoubtedly, human nature is composed of the close interactions that we generate within the confines of our existence. Generally speaking, the associations that individuals garner are the process of deriving a purpose of human existence, which is to share and fulfill ones’ life with others. The film White Oleander addresses the complexity regarding the maintenance of human interaction, specifically the relationship between Astrid and her mother Ingrid. Astrid, a young teenage girl, must contend with the absence of her mother, who was convicted of murder. Specifically, Astrid was forced to live in multiple foster homes, which ultimately created a strain on her relationship with her mother. Utilizing the psychological principles of both narcissistic personality disorder and conformity, the film seeks to provide the understanding of how both Astrid and her mother overtime have developed a discontinuous relationship.
Fundamentally, narcissistic personality disorder involves an individual with an inflated sense of self-importance. As a result, there is a manipulative factor involved with the disorder, in which the person seeks to utilize their importance to impose their desire upon others. Moreover, narcissistic personality disorder involves a belief that individuals are a threat to their superiority, thus oftentimes they show little empathy for other people. Essentially, the presence of an exaggerated ego initiates problems with both self-awareness as well as relationships (King, 2008, p. 556). In effect, the lack of an entitlement may often create “snobbish, disdainful, or patronizing attitudes” (Psych Central, 2009). In addition, there is a lack of tolerance involving criticism directed toward their individual character.
In terms of its application to White Oleander, narcissistic personality disorder directly correlates to the character of Ingrid. In order to fully understand her actions, the inclusion of this disorder provided the means of illustrating the eventual strain on her relationship with Astrid. Consider the scene in which Astrid and her foster mother Claire meet with Ingrid. Significantly, Ingrid is dissatisfied with the fact that Astrid is happier with Claire than she was prior to living with her. Ingrid shows deep discontent and engages in malicious attacks against Claire in order to maximize her manipulation over Astrid.
The lack of control that Ingrid maintains fuels the animosity towards Claire. Examining the conversation between Astrid and her mother illustrates her desire to manipulate her daughter into disliking Claire, even going so far as to say, “I would rather see you in the worst kind of foster hell than living with that woman.” The lack of control and manipulation that Ingrid can maintain over Astrid contributes to the example of her substantial narcissistic behavior. Ingrid is not responsible for the fulfillment that Astrid is experiencing, and thus because she feels the situation is not about her directly, she resorts to criticizing Claire, and wishing to see her daughter live in a miserable foster home. That way, Astrid will seek the comfort of her mother, instead of feeling comfortable with her new foster parent. The basis of the scene involving Astrid, Claire, and Ingrid illustrates the powerful elements of narcissism and how these views toward self-importance, can distort what is truly important, which in this case involves the happiness of her daughter.
In two studies conducted by Case Western Reserve University in 1998, “psychologists found that the most aggressive respondents in both studies were narcissists who were attacking someone who had given them a bad evaluation” (Science Daily, 1998). The researchers sought to understand the prevalence of aggressiveness in individuals with findings that indicated that narcissism was a contributing factor. Therefore, Ingrid is attacking Claire personally because she feels she is being poorly evaluated, a result of the enjoyment that Astrid is enjoying. Furthermore, the aggression Ingrid toward Claire is important because she fueled the feelings of depression that Claire already harbored, as a form of revenge against her perceived enemy. Instead of trying to be selflessness and help her daughter’s foster mother, Ingrid places thoughts into Claire’s head, which is once again used to initiate control or manipulation over another individual. Ingrid is in constant need of self-attention, and the use of demoralizing Claire only seeks to increase her feelings toward self-importance. The need to find a source of control is a persistent theme in narcissistic behavior, and Ingrid consistently demonstrates a need for self-importance, as demonstrated in her desire to enact control over the situation between her daughter and Claire. Thus, the scene in which Ingrid talks to both Astrid and Claire is an illustration of a rift between both Astrid and Ingrid as both have different views toward living with Claire.
Additionally, the concept of conformity is essential to the character development of Astrid within the movie. Conformity refers to “a change in a person’s behavior to coincide more closely with a group standard” (King, 2008, p. 462). Specifically, Astrid portrays conformity in the scene following her arrival at McKenney Hall, in which the environment is often hostile, evidenced by the fight she experienced when first arriving. In order to conform to her environment, Astrid decided to cut her hair, thus changing her identity from a calm and easy going individual, to an individual more suited to her environment. Furthermore, Astrid demonstrated her new identity when confronting her attacker. While holding a knife to her throat, Astrid told her attacker, “The next time you and your friends jump me, I’ll cut your throats when you’re sleeping.” Her actions are therefore a direct response to her surroundings. In order for Astrid to survive in the environment she was forced to live in, conformity had to occur. The behavior she exhibited with her attacker demonstrates how circumstance and a need to fit in relates to the enactment of conformity. The scene is pivotal to the development of Astrid’s character because it marks the first full transition toward a new identity that vastly differs from the identity that her mother sought to create. Not only did Astrid change her views (as she had previously with her acceptance of Christianity), but a full renewal of behavior and appearance. Thus, the scene involving McKenney Hall is pivotal to the development of Astrid’s desire toward finding her own identity, through which she exhibits conformity.
As a result of the immense control her mother sought to maintain, Astrid displayed difficulty creating an identity. According to Erik Erikson’s Concept of Developmental Stages, the Adolescence stage (12-18 years old), “life is definitely getting more complex as we attempt to find our own identity, struggle with social interactions, and grapple with moral issues” (Harder 2002). The main focus of this stage derives from the necessity to formulate an identity. As individuals grow, the need to formulate an understanding of ones’ self becomes increasing important. Thus, the scene involving Astrid’s transition to a strong, angry individual is representative of her desire to find her true identity. Throughout the film, Astrid engages in different behaviors and roles, in the hopes of understanding more about herself. However, with each transition, Astrid is forced to contend with the weakening relationship she shares with her mother. As aforementioned, the role of narcissism involves an exaggerated self-importance that enables the necessity towards control and manipulation. The view held by Ingrid that stipulates control is in vast contrast to the desire for Astrid to form an identity. The dissonance between these two needs forms the basis of the problems faced by both Astrid and her mother in terms of their relationship.
The presence of both narcissistic personality disorder and conformity played a pivotal role in the strain that occurred in their relationship. Ingrid’s need for control of Astrid was representative of the desire to establish an importance, and thus superiority over her daughter, so as to limit outside interference. However, the need for conformity as a result of Astrid’s need for an identity provided the direct contrast to the narcissistic behavior that her mother had exhibited. Therefore, these differences changed the relationship between Astrid and her mother because Ingrid could no longer fully manipulate her daughter, as she was beginning to find her place in the world. In essence, White Oleander demonstrated the complexity of retaining a relationship based upon the presence of both narcissism and conformity, for each serve different purposes.
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Below is the scene involving the conversation between Claire, Ingrid and Astrid. In the first part, all three are engaged in conversation. Notice the body language of Astrid along with Ingrid's conversation and reaction as Claire speaks. In the second part, Ingrid talks exclusively to Astrid. In this part of the scene, it becomes apparent to that Ingrid exhibits narcissism as a result of her conversation with Astrid.
Beginning at 4:22, Astrid is attacked by the girls who live in McKenney Hall, which initiates the scene involving Astrid's transformation. The scene, which ends around the 6:03 mark illustrates the necessity for Astrid to conform to her surroundings in order to maintain stability in her new environment.
References:
“Aggression and Narcissism”, (1998, July 20). Studies find narcissists most
aggressive when criticized. Retrieved May 9, 2009, from Science Daily
Web site:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/07/980720081130.htm
Harder, A.F. (2002). Developmental Stages of Erik Erikson. Retrieved May
7,2009, from Learning Place Online Web site: http://www.learningplaceonline.com/stages/organize/Erikson.htm
King, L. (2008). The science of psychology: An appreciative view.
Boston: McGraw-Hill.
“Narcissism”, (2009 March 29). Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Retrieved May 7,
2009, from Psych Central Web site:
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx36.htm
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