Assessment of Mr. Glen Holland free essay sample

The underlying theme that stretches throughout Erikson’s theory is that of balance (Hergenhahn Olson, 2003). Erikson (1963) divided the life cycle of an individual into developmental stages (Meyer et al. 1997). Each stage of development is characterized by what Erikson called a crisis; he used the word crisis as it results in an important turning point in one’s life cycle. The crisis has the possibility of a positive or a negative resolution. Erikson’s theory provides a description of some key universal concerns at each period of life. His theory is a bio-psycho-social theory which views humans as biological, psychological and sociological beings that are shaped by an interactive mix of forces (Corey, 2009). Erikson believed that development is the result of two complex principles which occur simultaneously, these two principles involve genetic and social inputs (Meyer et al. , 2003). He further stated that genetic factors determine development through a genetically determined ground plan called the epigenetic principle. This principle holds that development occurs in sequential, clearly defined stages and that each stage must be satisfactorily resolved for development to proceed smoothly (Sadock Sadock, 2003). Social factors or influences refer to the demands placed on individuals by society in accordance with their current stage of development (Meyer et al. , 2003). According to Erikson a crisis indicates a turning point in life, â€Å"a crucial period of increased vulnerability and heightened potential† (Erikson. 1978 p. 5). A developmental crisis results from the interaction between genetic development and social influences. Erikson’s theory states that stages are interrelated. This means that the success or failure in one stage determines the outcome in another stage (Morris, 1996). If successful resolution does not occur , all subsequent stages reflect the failure in the form of physical, cognitive, social or emotional maladjustment (Sadock Sadock, 2003). Eriksons theory covers the psychosocial development of an individual’s entire lifespan, therefore serves as an adequate lens through which Mr. Holland’s (in the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus) life can be assessed psychologically. In the movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus, there are many issues that relate to human growth and development. In the beginning, Holland’s goal was to write one memorable piece of music that would be regarded as a historical symphony. However; he ends up teaching music at a high school hoping it would pay off the bills; he referrers to the teaching position as something to fall back on for the interim. He is frustrated at first because the students are bored and unresponsive, yet Holland didn’t give up. This would indicate that he successfully managed Erikson’s early childhood stage. During this stage we learn to master skills for ourselves. Not only do we learn to walk, talk and feed ourselves, we are learning finer motor development as well as becoming toilet trained. Here we have the opportunity to build self-esteem and autonomy as we gain more control over our bodies and acquire new skills, learning right from wrong. One of the skills learned during the Terrible Twos is our ability to use the powerful word NO! † This develops important skills of the will. In a sense we learn tenacity and persistence, which is useful in problem solving. Not learning these skills adequately we would all too easily give up on tasks. Holland did not give up and manages to teach students through methods such as playing rock and roll instead of Mozart; which would have been considered radical for the time period represented. As time goes on, Holland develops a strong bond with the students. He spends untold hours preparing lessons, connecting with students, organizing a marching band, and directing the school musical. All of this extra work pays off, as Holland is able to realize the importance of what he is doing. Parts of the aforementioned section of the movie may be an indication that he may have had some unresolved issues in the adolescent stage of role confusion vs. identity. Adolescence is a stage at which we are neither a child nor an adult, life is definitely more complex. In this stage humans attempt to find an individual identity, struggle with social interactions, and grapple with moral issues. The task is to discover who we are as individuals. If a person is unsuccessful in navigating this stage, he or she will experience role confusion and upheaval. A significant task for a person is to establish a philosophy of life and in this process humans tend to think in terms of ideals, which are conflict free, rather than reality, which is usually filled with one conflict or another. Holland’s reality is that he has not yet completed the music piece he has strived for and needs to teach. This creates a conflict of time, as he feels he is getting too old to publish the musical work. Teaching takes up the time he needs to work on his music, causing him frustration. It appears that he has found it easy to substitute ideals for experience. His frustration becomes evident when he tells a student to give it up (referring to her horrible clarinet playing). Feeling guilt and shame over this statement he then begins a new way of teaching Gertrude to play the clarinet. Hollands brilliantly constructed three-word metaphor â€Å"Play the Sunset† magically connects with Gertrude and inspires her to improve her clarinet playing. Letting the frustration rule him and begin to take out the frustration on others shows that he is having difficulty accepting his life as it is, wanting to construct his own musical work. Erikson observed that middle-age is when a person tends to be occupied with creative and meaningful work and with issues surrounding his or her family. It is also noted that middle adulthood is when a person can expect to be in charge, the time in life that the role an adolescent envies. The significant task at this stage is to perpetuate culture and transmit values of the culture through the family and working to establish a stable environment. Strength comes through care of others and production of something that contributes to the betterment of society, which Erikson calls generativity. Holland is greatly struggling with his want to create the musical work and feels stuck in a teaching profession. When a person is in this stage they often fear inactivity and meaninglessness. Holland is feeling meaningless because he has not yet achieved his plan. As a person’s children leave home, or relationships or goals change, a person may be faced with major life changes—the mid-life crisis—and struggle with finding new meanings and purposes. If a person does not get through this stage successfully, a person can become self-absorbed and stagnate. Later in the film Holland has help from his students and family toward self actualization. He is reminded of the meaning of his life when the students play his symphony and tell him that they themselves are his symphony. Another issue of human growth portrayed in the move is the relationship between Cole (Glen Holland’s son) and his father. Glen Holland really wanted to share his passion of music with Cole. This was very evident during the time of pregnancy when he played music for the unborn child. Once Cole was born however; Glen could not accept that Cole had a 90% plus hearing loss. He believed that Cole could never appreciate music the way he does. Unable to draw the child into his musical world, Holland struggles to communicate with Cole using professional responsibilities to consume his time and as an excuse not to try. In addition, the hearing loss limits Cole’s development as he has to attend a private school to communicate using sign language. This results in Holland believing that his son will never understand why what he does is so important. A good example of this would be the death of John Lennon. Holland brushes off his son, believing Cole could not possibly understand the depth of his sorrow. Cole gets angry with his father and explains that he does indeed care about music and further iterates to his father that he could know music better if only he would take the time to show him. This is the turning point in their relationship that opens the door of communication. Holland works with the principal at Coles school to plan a way to share the high school orchestras performance with the hearing impaired. They agree to use lights to punctuate the orchestral number, and sign to share the lyrics of a song that Glenn Holland dedicates to his son. Father and son are shown joyfully sharing music with Cole feeling the vibrations by sitting on a stereo speaker. In the end of the movie, Holland’s compassion for his students and his desire to bond with his son carries him through his troubles, and actually pays off for him at the end. It is said that Glen’s students and family are his symphony. His students commend him. Glen realizes the true meaning of a lifelong investment in something worthwhile: HIS STUDENTS. With the help of his students and his family, Glenn Holland learns that throughout one’s life things do not always turn out the way we plan them. It can be said that â€Å"Life† is what happens when you embrace the unexpected. Erikson’s view of late adulthood is that much of life is preparing for the middle adulthood stage and the last stage is recovering from it. conceivably that is because as older adults we can often look back on our lives with happiness and are content, feeling fulfilled with a deep sense that life has meaning and weve made a contribution to life, a feeling Erikson calls integrity. At this stage strength is accepting death as a completion to life. The flip side of the coin is that some adults may reach this stage and despair at their experiences and perceived failures. They may fear death as they struggle to find a purpose to their lives. Then again, they may feel they have all the answers (not unlike going back to adolescence) and end with a strong intransigence and abstinence that only their view has been correct. In the end Holland is feeling fulfilled with a very deep sense that his life has indeed been meaningful and that he has truly made a positive difference in the lives of his students.