Psychoanalysis of Brian from "The Breakfast Club"
Brian Johnson (Nerd)
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development Brian Johnson, as well as the rest of the characters from Hughes’ The Breakfast Club, can be categorized in more than one level/stage of Lawrence Kohlberg’s levels/stages of moral development. Many of the characters grow as people and can be seen at different levels of moral development throughout the film. For the purpose of this analysis, Brian will be categorized based on the general impressions and behaviors he expresses before reaching his “changing moment” near the end of the film (along with the other characters). Brian can be categorized as being in level two (conventional reasoning), stage four (social systems morality) in accordance to Kohlberg’s theory. He is categorized in this level/stage because this stage focuses on the understanding of “social order, law, justice, and duty” and believing that “society defines what is ‘right’.” There are three key instances throughout the film that show Brian is at this stage of moral development. The first instance is near the beginning of the film when John Bender (the rebel) starts tampering with the door in the library. Bender removes a screw so the door will be unable to stay open. While Bender is removing the screw, Brian frantically squeals “Don’t mess with school property, Bender!” At this moment, Brian was more concerned with breaking the law (and school rules) than allowing Bender to prevent Principal Vernon from watching the group of students in the library. I initially thought Brian was in the first stage of Kohlberg’s theory, but, although he behaves in ways to avoid punishment, Brian believes that breaking rules and laws is the wrong thing to do. He does not believe this because his “parents say so,” but he believes this because he actually thinks that certain behaviors are wrong. Another instance that shows Brian in level two, stage four is when the students have escaped detention and follow Bender to a hallway where (to
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development Brian Johnson, as well as the rest of the characters from Hughes’ The Breakfast Club, can be categorized in more than one level/stage of Lawrence Kohlberg’s levels/stages of moral development. Many of the characters grow as people and can be seen at different levels of moral development throughout the film. For the purpose of this analysis, Brian will be categorized based on the general impressions and behaviors he expresses before reaching his “changing moment” near the end of the film (along with the other characters). Brian can be categorized as being in level two (conventional reasoning), stage four (social systems morality) in accordance to Kohlberg’s theory. He is categorized in this level/stage because this stage focuses on the understanding of “social order, law, justice, and duty” and believing that “society defines what is ‘right’.” There are three key instances throughout the film that show Brian is at this stage of moral development. The first instance is near the beginning of the film when John Bender (the rebel) starts tampering with the door in the library. Bender removes a screw so the door will be unable to stay open. While Bender is removing the screw, Brian frantically squeals “Don’t mess with school property, Bender!” At this moment, Brian was more concerned with breaking the law (and school rules) than allowing Bender to prevent Principal Vernon from watching the group of students in the library. I initially thought Brian was in the first stage of Kohlberg’s theory, but, although he behaves in ways to avoid punishment, Brian believes that breaking rules and laws is the wrong thing to do. He does not believe this because his “parents say so,” but he believes this because he actually thinks that certain behaviors are wrong. Another instance that shows Brian in level two, stage four is when the students have escaped detention and follow Bender to a hallway where (to