PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICTS OF THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THE WHALE

Abstract

This research analyzes the psychological conflicts of the main character, Charlie, in the movie The Whale and how he resolves the conflicts. The writer employs Kurt Lewin's theory of conflicts, which divides conflict into three categories: approach-approach conflict, approach-avoidance conflict, and avoidance-avoidance conflict. Furthermore, Kurt Lewin defines valence as decision making or the resolution of psychological conflicts, which is divided into 3 types, there are positive valence, negative valence, and neutral valence. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method. According to the findings, Charlie's most common experience is approach-avoidance conflict, which occurred 10 times. This form of conflict arises when Charlie is torn between desire and the consequences. The writer also discovered two cases of approach-approach conflict, in which Charlie must pick between two positive results, as well as three instances of avoidance-avoidance conflict, in which he is forced to select between two undesirable possibilities. Meanwhile, for resolutions, the findings show that Charlie dominantly resolves his conflicts with negative valence, mostly when he faces approach avoidance conflict. He also resolves conflicts with positive valence, with 4 data found in this study. However, the writer found neutral valence appears 2 times. In conclusion, this finding shows that Charlie often lets his emotions control his choices, especially when it comes to Ellie. He believes that taking care of her, even from a distance, is more important than taking care of himself. This explains why he often resolves approach-avoidance conflicts with negative valence, when he wants something but knows it has bad consequences, he follows his emotions instead of logic.