Maude Film Summary

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Slowly, Harold begins to let go of the societal-cultural standards that formerly held him captive-- expectations which were causing him to feel shame and loss of power. From a narrative perspective, he is becoming the author of his own story. SRT proposes that shame resilience is affected by recognition and acceptance of personal vulnerability. Harold realizes his own capacity for vulnerability when his uncle attempts to enlist him in the army and he calls on Maude for help. He also touches upon his mother’s lack of attention through emotional conversations with Maude. He develops the ability to engage in a mutually empathic relationship which strengthens his shame resilience. The entire movie is devoted to Harold’s growth in this area. To enhance Harold’s shame resilience, the psychiatrist could have explored this shame and further engaged Harold in dialogue to give meaning to his experiences. Harold not only felt shame about not living up to his mothers and societies standards, but also in not remembering his father. Harold, in keeping with SRT, would benefit from developing skills that identify and discuss experiences of shame. …show more content…

According to Denborough,(2014) “Everyone has the right to have their life understood in the context of their relationships with others” pg.9). By being accepted, cared for and loved by Maude, Harold was able to send the hearse to its final resting place, move past his hurt and gain a better self-image in the process. Denborough (2014) discusses another theme central to narrative theory: legacy. Maude’s legacy was the appreciation of life, and living to the fullest extent. She stressed and not letting others mold you into what they want you to be. An excerpt from the movie clues viewers into Maude’s existential

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