Character Analysis Paper

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Character Analysis

Introduction

The movie A Beautiful Mind made its debut in 2001 under the dictatorship of Ron

Howard. This movie is based on a true story of an infamous mathematician who had

schizophrenia while pursuing his research at the University of Princeton. Mental experts have

applauded the film for establishing a better understanding of the schizophrenia even though some

have pointed out that the movie version of Nash's life and condition does not take liberties with

the medical realities. The reason for choosing this movie is because it addresses the fundamental

issues in the society especially on the capability of an individual with schizophrenia and other

mental illness. The main character in the movie is John Nash, other characters include, Bender,

Helinger, Marcee, Charles, Alicia, and Parcher. This essay will use theories of personality,

psychoanalytical social theory, and object relations theory to explain Nash's behavior and

personality.

Character Description

At the initial stages of the movie, John Nash is portrayed as introvert, focused young man

looking for definite original ideas as a graduate student in Princeton's University. His main social

linkage is his colleague, Charles who later becomes his closest friend. Apparently, he marries

Alicia also a graduate, who accepts him despite his social ineptness. In the course of the movie,

Nash portrays different symptoms of schizophrenia. Nash began showing the signs of the mental

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disorder while attending Princeton University. He first started having hallucinations and became

delusional. Apparently, Nash encounters different challenges due to this disorder, for instance, he

experiences schizophrenic hallucinations while giving a speech regarding the mathematical

research he was undertaking. As a result of the delusions, he sees men like Soviet spies and runs

out of the room.

Theories with Support from Scenes

Personality Theory

Personality theory can be termed as being composed of feelings, thoughts, and behavior

that makes an individual be unique. Apparently, personality originates within an individual and

can have an adverse effect on his or her behavior and also his personality.

Scene 1

The first scene where personality theory is portrayed is at their home where Alicia tries to

desperately help his husband and visit the mailbox to access the unread letters. She finds that all

this were Nash's hallucinations. For instance, everything that Nash had was delusional starting

from his friend Charles, niece Marcee and the special forces operative William Pacher. This

made him to be a bewildered man. As a result, his self-assurance and intellect become crushed

down.

Scene 2

The second scene where the theory of personality is evident is in the initial stages of the

movie in Princeton's University bar, unaware of his condition Nash becomes arrogant and

scornful when a lady rejects him. This concurs with the theory that, although it is usually stable,

personality can be affected by specific factors like sickness or the environment. As Adler puts it,

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each personality arises from self-training and can have an impact on one's behavior. In some

instances, certain challenges in life can bring a sense of confusion (Maslach et al., 229).

Psychoanalytical Social Theory

The second theory used to describe Nash behavior and personality is the psychoanalytical

social theory. This theory is based on the idea that both social and cultural conditions immensely

impact the shaping of our personality. The personality of an individual is radically shaped by

love and aggression and this two acts as the core impact on what a person does or thinks. Freud's

also ascertained that this two have direct control over our minds and thoughts. Love in many

instances gives one a reason to live, i.e., it acts as an individual's instinct to survive. This is also

present to individual who might be having a mental condition.

Scene 1

The first scene where this theory is vividly clear is at Princeton’s University where Nash

is portrayed as being an introvert. According to Horney, individual curb this anxiety and hatred

by either being introvert or separating themselves from others or his need for affection may

intensify. Apparently, people who have initially gone through harsh life without affection may

develop hostility towards others and as a result suffer anxiety (Maslach et al., 230).

Scene 2

Secondly, it is while he is a lecturer at Massachutes Institute of Technology when Alicia

Larde went to his office for assistance on calculus, he fell in love with her where they end up

getting married. His condition of schizophrenia may have the causal effect for him falling in love

in respect to seeking affection and curbing anxiety. As it is clear from this theory, that initial

exposure to hostility or mental condition forces one to seek for affection as Nash did.

Object Relation Theory

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The third theory applicable to the analysis of Nash in the movie is the object relation

theory. This is a science-based theory on conscious and unconscious and is affected by an

explicit internal psychological conflict. This theory further explains how an effect may end up

influencing nature of future relationships. This might lead to a suggestion that despite his present

life being affected by schizophrenia, Nash might have had some challenges while he was young.

Scene 1

In the movie, objected related theory is well portrayed when at their house, Nash is

distracted while bathing their infant who nearly drowned in the bathtub. Apparently, her wife

Alicia rescues their baby on time and tries to flee with it for their security. This concludes that

conflicts among the components of the mind determine one behavior and personality.

Scene 2

The second scene where the theory is applied is at the Harvard University as he was

delivering a guest lecture. In his proceedings, Nash sees a hostile group of individuals watching

him, and it turned out that the men were not Soviet spies but were agents sent to take him to the

psychiatric hospital. These ascertains that the unconscious phantasies may act as a basis for the

most future mental mechanism (Maslach et al., 227).

Conclusion

In a nutshell, it can be ascertained that three essential elements contribute to a person

personality. These elements are very critical as they mold the character of an individual and have

a great impact on what the person turns out to be in the future. This is according to Freud, Adler,

and Horney who emphasized in this elements the id, ego, and superego. Sometimes both the

personality and behavior of a person may be affected by the circumstances he or she is

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undergoing. For instance, in the movie A Beautiful Mind, Nash condition even despite his

intelligence made him look crazy. Both his personality and behavior were affected, his daily

activities as a mathematical researcher are significantly affected. However, some of this

condition can be rectified like in his case it is through psychotherapy and use of the psychotic

drug.

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Work cited

Maslach, Christina, and Susan E. Jackson. "A social psychological analysis." The social

psychology of health and illness 227 (2013).

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