Brave- A Coming of Age Story by Vivienne Smith

Full Summary

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-26 21:04:00 UTC

Brave is a 2012 animated Disney film centering Merida, a young rebellious princess in Scotland. After a heated quarrel with her mother Queen Elinor over an ancient tradition, Merida sets out to find something to change her fate. Through a journey filled with magic, Merida reconnects with her mother and learns the meaning of responsibility.

Where?

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-26 21:05:07 UTC

15th century Scotland.

Major Characters

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-26 21:07:20 UTC

Merida- Main character

Elinor- Merida's Mother

Mor'du- Bear (antagonist)

Erik Erikson

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-28 00:44:47 UTC

Brief Biography

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-28 00:47:30 UTC

Erik Erikson (June 15, 1902- May 12, 1994) was a German-American psychoanalyst who studied the psychological development of human beings. He is best known for coining the phrase "identity-crisis".

8 Stages Theory Overview

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-28 00:52:20 UTC

Erikson's 8 stages of life are as follows:

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (0-18 months)
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 months- 3 years)
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years)
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6-11 years)
Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion (12-18 years)
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 years)
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65)
Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (65 years- Death)
Erikson's theory is based on the idea of the "epigenetic principle" which suggests that life and development occur in stages. This theory has faced criticism "for focusing so heavily on stages and assuming that the completion of one stage is a prerequisite for the next crisis of development".

cite properly later

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-28 00:53:50 UTC

Learning, L. (n.d.). Lifespan development. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-lifespandevelopment/chapter/erikson-and-psychosocial-theory/#:~:text=Erikson’s%20theory%20has%20been%20criticized,cultures%2C%20but%20not%20in%20all.

Kendra Cherry, Mse. (2022, August 3). Understanding Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development-2795740

Merida Tears the Bond

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-30 20:15:38 UTC

In a fit of rage, Merida damages a tapestry that her mother created depicting their family. This leads her mother to retaliate and destroy Merida's bow, furthering the emotional disconnect between the two.

Merida asks the witch to change her fate

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-30 21:52:05 UTC

After the huge fight with her mother, Merida flees the castle and stumbles upon a strange cottage in the woods. After she discovers the woman inside is a witch, Merida asks for a spell to "change her fate", which she pays for with a family heirloom. The spell she receives turns her mother into a bear, thus creating the film's primary conflict.

Merida defies her father to save her mother

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-30 21:55:20 UTC

In the final act of the film, Merida accepts responsibility for her actions and puts her own life on the line to save her mother. This signifies growth from her previous, immature demeanor.

Identity vs. Confusion

viviennesmith1 — 2023-10-30 22:06:15 UTC

With the bulk of the story occuring during Merida's adolescence, Erikson's theory of Identity vs. Confusion can be applied. According to Erikson, this stage represents self-discovery and the development of ego. We see this with Merida as she rebels against her mother's wishes and centuries-long traditions. As she gets older she attempts to express agency, just as Erikson theorized.