Rachel,_Rachel_Personality

-PART ONE- The film, Rachel, Rachel, is one that delves into the life of a middle-aged woman whose thoughts, feelings and desires are made visible to the outside observer. Because of this, one is able to identify a personality type, in the attempt to label and analyze. The main character, Rachel, exhibits traits that lead to the Personality theory of Otto Rank—Intrapsychic conflict model. The theory possesses an explanation for a large sum of the traits that Rachel shows evidence of. Rank’s theory consists of Life and Death instincts, in which the fear of each consequently creates a conflict of self. This conflict is inevitable and irresolvable; it can be managed and balanced, however, but unable to be rid of. I feel that Rachel’s personality type in the film represents an aspect of this struggle, and works as a visual, showing the effects of the developmental and peripheral experiences explicated in this theory. In Otto Rank’s Theory, he suggests three possibilities in terms of personality type. These types include: the artist, the neurotic, and the average person. The artist is described as the “ideal” type—typically have a strong establishment of mature will, successfully balances the fear of life and the fear of death into a compromising solution. While the neurotic, has an inclination toward the fear of death, choosing instead, to exclude the idea of unity and remain distinctly in a state of individuation, unable to connect with society and instead remains in isolation. Neither of these personality types exemplifies that of the character, Rachel. It is, however, the third and least ideal personality type that brings forth some of concepts that bring Rachel to light. The Average person is described as a conformist and one who lacks the initiative to pursue individuality, as the inclination to do so is simply not there. In the evaluation of this film, it seems that when observing Rachel’s key characteristics through out, there appears to be certain traits that continue to present themselves; these characteristics emerge in the form of differentiation, guilt, conformity, passivity and also sexual suppression. Together, these serve as the pieces of the puzzle that create a picture of Rachel’s personality, and contribute to its foundation. One who is of the “average person” personality type, tends to conform to the ways of society, finding the need to follow those set values, thoughts and ideas that are accepted completely by the outside world. The attempt to show differentiation between one’s own thoughts and feelings and those of society does not occur. In the text is suggests that, “this essentially adaptive individual has a relatively harmonious relationship to his society, but only because he has never truly differentiated his own will from the significant surroundings.” In the film, there is scene that effectively depicts this concept. Rachel had finished tending to her mother, and making sandwiches for her mother’s company, before retreating to her bedroom. It is behind closed doors that Rachel can hear one of women of the group state that Rachel was great, and that “Nobody could do it like Rachel.” Yet, the realization struck a nerve with Rachel, as she remained in her room, sobbing over the mundane nature of her life and what it had become (or essentially always was). It is this distinct moment that brings forth the idea of refusing to show differentiation to society, aiming to please and conform to the expectations of those around her, even at the expense of her own individuality. The inability to become differentiated, is in affect, resulted in Rachel understand or develop her own wants in desires as something separate from those around her. Conformity is a characteristic of the Average person stated in Otto Rank’s theory. It is part of the periphery that Rachel developed from a very young age, and is apparent from the very beginning of the film. Rachel seems very conscious of what others may think, not wanting to cross any lines that may cause disapproval from her mother or society. These feelings of conformity are most present in the glimpses presented of her subconscious. One specific moment shows Rachel leaving her home to go to work; she suddenly senses everyone around her staring in her direction. She swiftly feels the need to assure that her hemline was of the appropriate length, terrified that it may send the wrong signals. As the film continues, the moments when her internal desires are suppressed are presented as a battle between her conscious and subconscious thoughts. To list specifics, it is shown during moments when she wishes she could yell or be straightforward with an authority figure, such as her boss or her mother. She is always telling herself, “No, Rachel,” whenever an urge crosses her mind; making it seem as if it’s not an impulse that she desires to act on. Branching off of this passive-like nature is her inability to make her own decisions. It seems to be a need to have approval for her actions. For example, after Rachel had agreed to go out with the man she had been reacquainted with, the end of the evening was a sort of mental tug-of-war for her, as she didn’t want to get out of the car, but knew she should; or at least, it would be the action that those of authority would most agree with. While the man attempted to have her hold her own accountability for her decision, the end was still the result of the decision being made for her. It is Rachel’s need to conform that presents what Rank’s suggests as the lack of mature will; that ability to decipher and balance the will of self with those things that are expected from others. Rachel does not seem to stray from what is expected to her, she remains, passive and very duty-bound. Another indication of Rachel’s “Average person” personality type is the presence of guilt. The guilt of disappointing others keeps her in a state of doing what is expected. There are several moments when the guilt that Rachel feels on a consistent basis is brought to the surface. From the beginning of the film, Rachel’s subconscious thoughts and urges seem to be a source of guilt. When the thought or impulse crosses her mind, there is an immediate disapproval that brings an end to them. Rachel rationalizes with her inner thoughts and concludes that, “She doesn’t actually want those things or else she would of gone through with them.” It is evident that every time she shows potential for individuation, she is reprimanded, therefore, apologizing and quickly changes her thoughts. In the film it is noted that Rachel had returned home after her father passed away 14 years prior. Instead of pursuing separation and individuation as the Rank Theory suggests, she stayed clear of that in order to gratify and have a sense of unity with her mother, therefore, minimizing the sense of guilt. Lastly, Rachel’s character shows a tendency to suppress intimacy. While this is mainly a display of conformity to societal expectations, it is also serves as evidence of a turning point in Rachel’s personality type. There is a sort of shift in the periphery. When Rachel decides to become intimate with the man she had met, Nick, it is a point where she is taking initiative for herself. There is still an internal struggle with her actions, but she continues to embrace the new experience. Signs of rebelliousness when leaving the house without truly letting her mother know of her whereabouts, and being more open about the things she wanted were all aspects that were brought forward in light of her new relationship with Nick. As the film progresses, Rachel starts to open herself up to the possibility of disappointment, yet continues to stray from her conformist tendencies. Even with these fears, it is evident that her embracement of individuation brings her happiness that she had not necessarily experienced before. Even with the disappointments of Nick, it was the assumed pregnancy that also showed a change in her personality type. When discussing with her friend whether or not she would keep the baby, it was one of the first time’s that she was making a decision for her own well being and happiness even while balancing the fears of separation. This moment started a chain reaction of changes, which eventually lead to the desire for individuation that would place her in a more ideal type according to Rank’s theory. That being, to face the changes and individuality of life free of guilt, and understanding what feelings of unity were still necessary to have with her mother. She was aware that the relationship needed to change, as her [Rachel’s] life could no longer revolve around the needs and will of her mother. These decisions where central to the shift of Rachel’s personality, as her initiative opened her eyes to a whole new sense of selfhood. In each of Otto Rank’s personality types, there is a substantial correlation to the experiences during the developmental stage of life. The artist, which is the ideal personality type, is essentially the result of a successful balance of parental acceptance as well as teaching, to allow the child to feel that his individuality is appreciated as well as what society expects of him. The neurotic personality type is the result of hostility during childhood, and therefore, the person learned to use counterwill as a defensive mechanism. As a result, the person remains hostile, and separated for the rest of society. The need for unity does not exists. Finally, the average person is the result of an “overwhelmingly negative response to the first expression of counterwill that led the child to embrace for dear life the precise ways of her or his parents and the broader society” (Maddi, p.79). It is this quote that epitomizes the development of the character, Rachel. There are many glimpses into Rachel’s past that display the sort of extreme negative response to any expression of counterwill. Her mother is portrayed as a very forceful individual, pressing her views and opinions. Although a small example, the opening scene of the film is of Rachel’s mother singing a song that contained the words “lazy Mary will you get up, or you’ll be late for school.” It was evident that even as a child, getting up for school was something she despised, yet her mother used words such as “lazy” to portray that her action of not getting up to school would be welcomed with criticism. The depiction of her father’s tendency to show a negative response to counter was also evident. When being talked to as a child, Rachel’s curiosity as a child was met with more sternness than with the acceptance that a child needs in order to understand these feelings of counterwill. According the Rank’s theory, there needs to be an aspect of nurturing and teaching, where as in Rachel’s childhood, the more authoritarian parenting style was utilized. Also, Rachel grew up in a household that also served as a funeral home. There is strict etiquette when it comes to such things, and acting on impulse of counterwill is less acceptable. A portion of the film shows Rachel as a child, playing around in the location where embalming and such takes place; it was immediately followed by a quick and stern removal from her father. An experience like this ingrains in a child that their acts of counterwill are to essentially be feared. Lastly, it seems that in relation to growing up in the surroundings of a funeral home, it also presented Rachel with the concepts of death from an early age. During a period when a child is to establish their will and counterwill balance, Rachel may have been more inclined to seek out unity and dependency for the fear that someone may not always be there. This concept is brought forth in Rachel adulthood when lying in bed with Nick. She impulsively states that she would want to hold on to him forever so that he would not leave, as she was so used to seeing those around her pass away. With the loss of her father, and the need to return home to comfort her mother, this seemed to further create a sort of dependency on the relationship with her mother (Otto Rank’s Fear of Life). There was no progression of her life after that point. She did as she was told, and sought to abide by the will of her mother—this leaving no room for the development of mature will. The need to please and conform seemed to be an aspect of her personality type that developed over time. Rachel’s mother was able to feed off of this by presenting various aspects of guilt provoking responses and actions. Constantly reminded of her mother’s declining health, and disproval of the way Rachel would conduct her life, Rachel’s mother left her with the constant need to be accepted; to do what is expected of her to avoid criticism. Therefore, even when new experiences would present itself to Rachel, the wellbeing of her mother was at the forefronts of her mind. It seems that developmental stages of life led her to be one that sought unity while excluding individuation. In the text it states, “According to Rank, to avoid them [separation and individuation] completely would be to repudiate life and could be accomplished only by killing oneself.” Therefore, it is interesting to note that Rachel, too, had mentioned at times through out the film, things that entailed suicidal or death related comments. It seems to be only after she takes those first steps toward individuality during her relationship with Nick, that she feels the happiness that had be lost. It is the core of Otto Rank’s theory that expresses the tendency to minimize the fear of life while also minimizing the fear of death. It is the power and development of will that brings this balance between the two fears. It is a very conscious solution, and serves as a source to both embrace the experiences of life while holding on to the values of unity and your relationships with other people. In the case of Rachel, there was rarely any striving towards separation and most focus on the relationships she wanted to keep untainted. Her and her mother’s relationship seemed to be of utmost importance to her; where leaving home to start a new life and experience was not something she felt inclined to do. Yet, towards the end of the film, Rachel begins to show the fist glimpses of establishing a sense of self, and understanding the mature will that needs to be achieved to feel a balanced life. -PART TWO- Although there were a significant amount of similarities between Rachel’s personality type and that of the description provided by the Otto Rank theory, there are still dozens of traits and questions left unanswered by the theory, or at least not fully covered. Mainly, the weakness of the theory lied in the lack of personality types. There were only three total—each of which were very distinct, and countered the other. Therefore, there was no way in combining different traits between the three, because they would in effect, disprove each other. Each personality type, the artist, the neurotic, and the average person, sat at such different places on the spectrum that there were gapping holes left in developing a personality description. In regards to the film, Rachel is classified as an Average person, which is described as one who is “characterized by such peripheral characteristics as conformity, dependability, superficiality, suggestibility and lack of dissatisfaction” (p.79). While this analysis is able to incorporate the characteristics of conformity, dependability, superficiality and suggestibility, it is more challenging to identify feelings of lack of dissatisfaction, as there is clear awareness of her unhappiness through the film. Also, there are traits of Rachel’s that do not necessarily fit into any of the categories provided. The theory speaks of conflict, but does not necessarily address one who is able to internally battle a conflict with one’s own consciousness, and who is aware of what one desires but can not necessarily put them into action. There is this present fixation on guilt that keeps Rachel in this state of dependency; yet, desiring something different is also felt. It is aspects like the one stated above that make the concept of three distinct possibilities for personality to be slightly unrealistic. With the knowledge of the difficulty of thoroughly explaining every aspect of one’s personality from a single theory, it is understandable that questions may be left unanswered. It is the shift and realization that Rachel achieves toward the end of the film that ultimately leaves room to attempt to apply other theories, possibly connecting the some of the pieces more logically.