Erik Erikson, a loyal Freudian follower and student developed an eight-stage theory explaining personality through life development. He believed personality to not be a scandalous product of biological sexual turmoil in one’s life due to passed events, but rather having a genetic predisposition with the acceptance of external factors from the environment (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). There lies within each stage a crux that postulates the individual to either adapt or enter crises mode. Through this process a strength can emerge once the stage has been resolved. The fifth stage- adolescence is the identity cohesion versus role confusion stage, in which the character Katniss Everdeen is journeying through.
Adolescence
Taking place between the ages of 12-18, Katniss Everdeen is progressing through the stage of adolescence (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). Struggling with identity cohesion and what ultimately are her roles, it is the ego identity that must be resolved. Katniss is 16 years old and upholds various duties at her age that may be unlike other young adolescent girls. She is the provider and caretaker of her family and a winner of the annual Hunger Games. Her identity is lost during this time because she labors each day with obligations and responsibilities that cause her to set aside the young, playful Katniss. She fought for her life so that she could return to continue to fight for the lives of her mother and sister.
When she left for the games, she had a young love named Gale, but has slowly fallen in love with Peeta, a counter tribute District 12 winner. She questions whether her identity stays as it was before the games or whether now as a winner, does accept this new identity. Katniss is filled with anxiety. She is unsure what the most compatible fit for her is, not only just herself, but how is her role going to extend to the safety of those that she cares about.
Concerns
Katniss enters an identity crisis after the Hunger Games. She is confused when she must continue to behave as if she is in an intimate relationship with Peeta for the public, yet wrestles with the inner turmoil of her feelings for Gale. She also must set aside her hatred for the Capitol and the games for her family’s safety. She isolates. All the while she suffers from nightmares and post traumatic episodes daily. Her peers have significantly impacted her decision of the identity she accepts. Is she existing to be subservient and “read from the cards,” or to lead a revolution of hope and freedom?
To release her true character could have dire consequences for both herself and everyone she cares about. Until Katniss can resolve her inner conflict she will only continue to respond in maladaptive ways. She continues to mistrust others and just after the Quarter Quell announcement, she was ready to repudiate. She begged Gale to run away with her and to leave the Districts to the Capitol. She was encouraged by Gale to stay and take a stand. Moving forward she accepted her role in an adult-like fashion. It was in the final moments during the Quarter Quell games when she fired an arrow at the force field, causing a collapse and blackout of the competition that I felt she had accepted her identity. There was a bold commitment and action that provided a conclusion like essence to her character and personality development. She would not stand or represent herself as a supporter of the Capital.
Effect
Little did Katniss know that a revolution was developing from her actions and she had now become the face for it. She begins to trust this movement. She adapts by freeing herself to her emotions. She has a genuine care and love for the community around her, the persecuted, the poor, those that have suffered and lost at the hands of the Capital. While the crisis in her life may continue, she is no longer confused as to who she is or what she will stand for. Katniss has developed a strength of fidelity. Her personality development was affected greatly by the experiences she encountered. Her mother and sister represent a gentleness and meekness, so considering genetics her bold and brazenness were fostered through the courageous acts completed in the games and not so much as inherited. She has developed a strong ego identity. She has suffered traumatic events and loss yet remains stable and of sound mind when confronting the ever-changing environment around her (Schultz & Schultz, 2017).
Her ego development is strong due to her active role in the revolution. As studies have shown, the more time she devotes to this role the stronger her identity will become (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). She has grown an attachment that envelops all the districts. Whereas most males would be more focused on knowledge and proficiency, Katniss is focused on relationships. Her trust is in the districts and her family. While continuing conflict may cause resistance to the identity she has developed, her ego is strong enough to withstand the disruptions.
The rebellion movement against the Capital is aspiring to Katniss. She never thought that a single action or two by herself would create change, yet what was taking place behind her development was a sense of freedom and independence that she too was seeking. As Katniss transitions into adulthood, her identity will begin to consolidate. Changes will be made to accommodate new life experiences and the unfortunate traumas she will continue to withstand (Schultz & Schultz, 2017). It is then into the next stage of development she will face new provocations to her personality.
Reference
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2017). Theories of personality. [eBook edition]. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
