The Truman Show Essay

In the movie “The Truman show” which aired in 1998, we follow, firsthand, the life of an ‘ordinary’ citizen by the name of Truman, who seems to live in an absolute perfect world. We witness as he politely greets his neighbors, and works in an office job with benefits, and has a supporting friend...but we also notice the dramatic irony in his seemingly perfect life, and that is that he doesn’t know that all of his relatives, and co-workers, and even his wife are just actors. Truman doesn’t know that his life, in essence, is a lie.

Truman seems to fit well with the theory created by Erik Erikson. Erikson’s theory of personality development, followed by a series of stages of life, fits into terms of Truman eventually understanding the circumstances he was placed in. The creator of the Truman show in the movie cares

Erikson states that safety, love, and affection, basic items involved in our development create a sense of trust within an infant, however if these qualities are in severe lack, that creates mistrust.

Stage 2 revolves around independence and doubt, showing that a toddler that explores is more likely to gain self-confidence than a child who does not.

Stage 3, initiative and guilt, focuses on how a child at the age of 3-5 begins to master relationships, language, and begins to become regularly involved in activities.

Stage 4, industry and inferiority, is when a child (6-11) works hard and feels a sense of pride. The child begins to self-discipline between these ages, and no work leads to feelings of insecurity.

Stage 5, Identity and Identity confusion, concentrates on how teens and young adults (12-18) begin to build an identity for themselves, and discover what their life is going to be focused on.

Stage 6, Intimacy and Isolation, spotlight marriage and children between the ages of 19 to 35. No intimacy between these ages lead to loneliness and consistent