Stand by Me
Stand By Me is a movie based on a novel by Stephen King. It tells the story of four preteens, who during a boring summer day, embark on a journey to find the body of a dead twelve year old, who has been missing by news accounts, but known to them, to be lying in the woods near a river bank. The story is told as an historical narrative about the lives and relationships of the four main characters in this movie, Gordy, Chris, Teddy, and Vern. In this essay, I will discuss how communication, and self-concept, affects the characters, and their interactions.
Gordy La Chance, who is the narrator of this story, can best be described as an introvert. He is living in the shadow of his recently deceased brother, and is having a difficult time expressing his feelings about his brother's passing. His presenting self is secure, quiet, and agreeable. He tends to see the best in people. Inwardly, or his perceived self, he thinks he is "weird", or different, much caused by his parent's, and the obsession of the townspeople with his deceased brother. One example of this is when he goes into the local store, and the shopkeeper kept talking about his brother, and how successful his brother was. He has been put in the shadow of his brother, and feels that he will never amount to anything. His relationship with his parents has suffered due to his brother's passing, and he feels as if he is invisible. The only person that Gordy opens up to is Chris, and he does this often, both characters soul searching, encouraging each other to succeed in the future.
Chris Chambers, Gordy's best friend in the group, can best be described as an extrovert. He comes from what Gordy describes as a "bad family", and believes himself to be bad too. His self-fulfilling prophecy would be to turn out as bad as everyone in town believes that he will. Gordy sees the good in him, and pushes him to be more than Chris perceives he is capable of being. Chris is the group leader. The others
Gordy La Chance, who is the narrator of this story, can best be described as an introvert. He is living in the shadow of his recently deceased brother, and is having a difficult time expressing his feelings about his brother's passing. His presenting self is secure, quiet, and agreeable. He tends to see the best in people. Inwardly, or his perceived self, he thinks he is "weird", or different, much caused by his parent's, and the obsession of the townspeople with his deceased brother. One example of this is when he goes into the local store, and the shopkeeper kept talking about his brother, and how successful his brother was. He has been put in the shadow of his brother, and feels that he will never amount to anything. His relationship with his parents has suffered due to his brother's passing, and he feels as if he is invisible. The only person that Gordy opens up to is Chris, and he does this often, both characters soul searching, encouraging each other to succeed in the future.
Chris Chambers, Gordy's best friend in the group, can best be described as an extrovert. He comes from what Gordy describes as a "bad family", and believes himself to be bad too. His self-fulfilling prophecy would be to turn out as bad as everyone in town believes that he will. Gordy sees the good in him, and pushes him to be more than Chris perceives he is capable of being. Chris is the group leader. The others
References: Adler, R., Proctor, R., Towne, N. (2005) Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages Looking Out, Looking In (11th ed, pp 45-89). Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth. Evans, B., Gideon, R., Scheinman, A.,(Producers) , Reiner, R., (Director). (1986) Stand By Me (Motion Picture). Culver City, CA: Columbia Tri Star Home Video