Moonlight by Matthew Arhin

The Story

meboarhin — 2024-03-21 00:02:36 UTC

“Moonlight” directed by Barry Jenkins is divided into three acts. The first act, “Little,” introduces us to the main character of the movie, Chiron, who is growing up in the Miami hood. With his mother, Paula, being an addict and the bullying he receives, Chiron finds refuge in Juan, a local drug dealer, and his girlfriend Teresa. Act II titled, “Chiron,” tackles Chiron’s teenage years and his struggle with his sexuality and identity. Chiron meets Kevin at a beach near his house, quickly becoming close friends. Their relationship takes a turn when Kevin and Chiron kiss. Act III, “Black,” shows us a fully grown-up Chiron who has lived a hardened life. He gets a call from Kevin asking him to come back to Miami. The movie ends with Chiron telling Kevin that he has always loved him, and ends with a shot of Chiron in Kevin’s arms. The relationship between Kevin and Chiron is the main focus of the movie. It explores themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the enduring impact of early relationships on one's sense of self.

Erikson's 8 Stages of Development

meboarhin — 2024-03-21 00:38:30 UTC

Erikson's theory of psychological development outlines stages of life from adulthood. Each stage has a specific psychological crisis or conflict that can be resolved for healthy development

Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, 0-1 year): During infancy, the main point is to develop a sense of trust in parents/caregivers. Infants rely on caregivers for their needs, and if these needs are consistently met, they develop a basic trust in the world. If parents/caregivers are neglectful, infants can develop mistrust.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood, 1-3 years): Toddlers begin to assert their independence and autonomy. They begin to explore their environment and develop a sense of control over their actions. If the parents encourage this exploration and provide support, children develop autonomy. However, if the parents are overly controlling or critical, children may develop feelings of shame and doubt.
Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool, 3-6 years): Preschoolers start to take initiative in activities and assert themselves socially. They begin to plan and carry out tasks. If parental figures encourage these initiatives and provide positive reinforcement, children develop a sense of purpose and initiative. However, if the child's initiatives are consistently criticized or restricted, they may develop feelings of guilt.
Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age, 6-11 years): School-age children focus on mastering skills and developing competence in various areas such as academics, sports, and social activities. Success in these endeavors leads to a sense of industry and accomplishment. However, if the child experiences repeated failures or criticism, they may develop feelings of inferiority.
Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, 12-18 years): Adolescents explore their identity, including their values, beliefs, and goals. They seek to establish a sense of self and develop a coherent identity. This stage involves questioning and experimentation. If adolescents successfully navigate this stage, they develop a strong sense of identity. Otherwise, they may experience identity confusion or role diffusion.
Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood, 19-40 years): Young adults form intimate relationships with others, including friendships and romantic partnerships. They seek to develop meaningful connections and establish long-term commitments. If successful, they experience intimacy. However, if they struggle to form close relationships, they may experience feelings of isolation.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood, 40-65 years): Middle-aged adults focus on contributing to society and future generations. They may invest in careers, family, and community involvement. Successful resolution of this stage involves feeling productive and fulfilled. However, if individuals feel stagnant or unproductive, they may experience a sense of stagnation or lack of purpose.
Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood, 65+ years): In late adulthood, individuals reflect on their lives and achievements. They assess whether they have lived a meaningful life and achieved their goals. If individuals feel satisfied with their accomplishments and have few regrets, they experience integrity and wisdom. However, if they feel unfulfilled or regretful, they may experience despair and bitterness.

meboarhin — 2024-03-21 00:40:07 UTC

8 Stages Applied to Chiron's Life

meboarhin — 2024-03-21 00:55:02 UTC

Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy): In "Moonlight," Chiron's infancy is not explicitly shown to us, but his mother being absent due to her crack addiction removes the presence of a stable parental figure which would contribute to feelings of mistrust or insecurity.
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood): Chiron's early experiences, including his struggles with bullying and the lack of parental guidance, may lead to feelings of shame and doubt about his abilities and self-worth.
Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool): Chiron's environment, marked by poverty and violence, may limit his opportunities to explore his interests and due to him being bullied in school, he was not able to assert himself, potentially leading to feelings of guilt or inadequacy.
Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age): Children develop a sense of competence and industry in school and social activities. Chiron's experiences in school, where he faces bullying and ostracization, may undermine his sense of competence and lead to feelings of inferiority.
Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence): Adolescents explore their identity and roles in society. During his adolescent years, Chiron grapples with his new identity as a gay black man and the reality that his gayness would not be accepted in his environment. Because Chiron was never able to express these feelings, this probably lead to him feeling as if he does not belong.
Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood): Young adults seek intimate relationships and connections with others. Chiron's experiences with intimacy, particularly his relationship with Kevin, highlight his struggle to form meaningful connections amidst societal pressures and personal insecurities.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood): Adults focus on contributing to society and future generations. While "Moonlight" primarily focuses on Chiron's earlier stages of development, elements of generativity may be seen in his eventual reconciliation with his past and the potential for him to positively impact others.
Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood): Older adults reflect on their lives and accomplishments. Chiron's journey towards self-acceptance and understanding may align with this stage as he comes to terms with his identity and past experiences.

Critique of Erikson's Theory

meboarhin — 2024-03-21 01:09:23 UTC

Cultural Bias: Critics argue that Erikson's theory may be biased towards Western society's more individualistic cultures. The stages and conflicts he identified may not apply universally across different cultural contexts, where the emphasis on social relationships, family dynamics, and individual identity formation may vary significantly.
Gender Bias: Some critics argue that Erikson's theory does not adequately address gender differences in development. The stages and conflicts described are often presented from a male perspective, and there is limited consideration given to the unique challenges and experiences faced by women.
Rigidity of Stages: Critics suggest that Erikson's theory portrays development as occurring in discrete stages with fixed age ranges, which may not accurately reflect the complexity and variability of human development. In reality, individuals may progress through stages at different rates or revisit earlier stages later in life.
Empirical Evidence: While Erikson's theory has been influential, some critics argue that it lacks sufficient empirical support. The stages and conflicts are primarily based on Erikson's clinical observations and case studies rather than rigorous scientific research. Additionally, measuring and operationalizing the stages and conflicts can be challenging, leading to difficulties in testing the theory empirically.
Overemphasis on Crisis Resolution: Critics argue that Erikson's focus on resolving psychosocial crises may oversimplify the complexities of human development. Developmental progress is portrayed as dependent on successfully resolving these crises, which may not fully capture the multifaceted nature of individual development and the influence of environmental and contextual factors.
Limited Attention to Later Adulthood: Some critics argue that Erikson's theory places less emphasis on the stages of later adulthood, particularly beyond middle age. The final stage of integrity vs. despair is often seen as less well-defined compared to earlier stages, and there is limited exploration of the challenges and opportunities associated with aging and late-life development.

Chiron's Character Identity and Erikson's Theory

meboarhin — 2024-03-21 01:28:37 UTC

Chiron grapples with a complex and multifaceted identity throughout the film. His identity is shaped by various factors, including his race, sexuality, upbringing, and social environment.

Chiron is a young black man growing up in a predominantly African American neighborhood in Miami. His racial identity influences his interactions with others, the opportunities available to him, and the stereotypes he faces. Erikson's theory acknowledges the importance of cultural and racial identity development, particularly in the context of adolescence and the exploration of identity.

Chiron grapples with his sexuality throughout the film, eventually coming to terms with his attraction to men. His experiences with Kevin, a childhood friend, and love interest, play a significant role in shaping his understanding of his sexual orientation. Erikson's theory addresses the exploration of sexual identity as a key component of identity development during adolescence

Chiron's upbringing in a neighborhood marked by hypermasculinity and violence influences his understanding of masculinity. He struggles to conform to traditional notions of masculinity, feeling pressure to adopt a tough exterior while also grappling with his sensitivity and vulnerability. Erikson's theory explores the formation of gender identity and the impact of societal expectations on individuals' sense of self.

Chiron's identity is also shaped by his social environment, including his relationships with caregivers, peers, and mentors. His experience with Juan, a drug dealer who takes him under his wing, and Teresa, Juan's girlfriend, provide moments of unlikely support and guidance amidst a challenging upbringing. Erikson's theory emphasizes the importance of social interactions and relationships in shaping identity and development.

I believe that Erikson's Theory does not capture the complexity of Chiron's character development. Although it can capture the broader or general themes of his identity. Erikson's Theory cannot explain the struggles of being black.