Rain Man Analysis
Rain Man Analysis
Question:
Examine Charlie Babbitt’s moral development throughout the film “Rain Man”. Explain what stages in Kohlberg’s or Gilligan’s theories Charlie enters. At what stage in moral development does he end up in at the end of the film? Support your work.
Answer:
At the beginning of the film Rain Man, the viewers are introduced to a character named Charlie Babbitt. Through his first appearance in the film, the viewer can understand that his character enters the second stage of Kohlberg’s moral development theory called Self-Interest. The reason being is because Charlie found out in his father’s will that his brother Raymond, who has a mental disability, was left with three million dollars. He comes to the conclusion that he wants to have possession over the brother he never knew he had because he wanted a share of the money. He felt the need to do this because he was following the rules for his own personal benefit. Also, he was thinking of the future reward of receiving his share of the money. Throughout the film, the viewer realizes that a change happens through the events that Charlie witnesses with his brother, Raymond. The apparent change that one can notice is the transition that Charlie makes from being selfish to having a responsibility. While he spends time with his brother, Charlie begins to realize that he and his brother only have each other. He also grows a spontaneous sympathy for his brother and tries to help him in his daily struggles that he has to overcome with having a mental disability. By this, one can also come to the conclusion that by the end of the film Charlie possesses the final stage of Kohlberg’s moral development theory called, Self-Chosen Principles. The reason being is because by witnessing his brother’s troubles he felt the need to do the right thing because his conscience told him that it is the right thing to do. He also had gained a sense of morality and was willing to focus on his
Question:
Examine Charlie Babbitt’s moral development throughout the film “Rain Man”. Explain what stages in Kohlberg’s or Gilligan’s theories Charlie enters. At what stage in moral development does he end up in at the end of the film? Support your work.
Answer:
At the beginning of the film Rain Man, the viewers are introduced to a character named Charlie Babbitt. Through his first appearance in the film, the viewer can understand that his character enters the second stage of Kohlberg’s moral development theory called Self-Interest. The reason being is because Charlie found out in his father’s will that his brother Raymond, who has a mental disability, was left with three million dollars. He comes to the conclusion that he wants to have possession over the brother he never knew he had because he wanted a share of the money. He felt the need to do this because he was following the rules for his own personal benefit. Also, he was thinking of the future reward of receiving his share of the money. Throughout the film, the viewer realizes that a change happens through the events that Charlie witnesses with his brother, Raymond. The apparent change that one can notice is the transition that Charlie makes from being selfish to having a responsibility. While he spends time with his brother, Charlie begins to realize that he and his brother only have each other. He also grows a spontaneous sympathy for his brother and tries to help him in his daily struggles that he has to overcome with having a mental disability. By this, one can also come to the conclusion that by the end of the film Charlie possesses the final stage of Kohlberg’s moral development theory called, Self-Chosen Principles. The reason being is because by witnessing his brother’s troubles he felt the need to do the right thing because his conscience told him that it is the right thing to do. He also had gained a sense of morality and was willing to focus on his