The Walking Dead Psychoanalytic Analysis

The Walking Dead series is a TV show that portrays Rick Grimes, a former Sheriff's deputy who was in a coma for several months after being shot. When he awakens he discovers that the world has been taken over by a zombie epidemic of apocalyptic proportions. Believing his the only person alive, he returns home to discover that his wife and son, Carl, were missing. He heads for Atlanta in search for his family. Barely escaping death at the hands of the zombies on arrival in Atlanta he is aided by another survivor, Glenn, who takes Rick to a camp outside the town. There Rick finds his wife Lori and his son, Carl, along with his partner/best friend Shane and a small group of survivors who struggle to fight off the zombie crowds; as well as competing with other groups who are determined to do whatever it takes to survive in the new

harsh world.
Under those circumstances, Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) has to overcome many challenges at a very young age. The nine year-old son of Rick and Lori Grimes, Carl is wise beyond his years. When the zombie outbreak occurs, he escapes to Atlanta with his mother and his father’s former partner, Shane. The differences between a pre- and post-zombie world become increasingly obvious to the boy, particularly when he is forced to react violently in order to save his father’s life.
Carl is challenged by trying to live as normal a childhood as possible while being forced into making adult decisions. As he experiences increasing loss, Carl becomes increasingly cold and detached, determined to do what he can to benefit the group while feeling less and less of an emotional connection to those around him.
Additionally, Carl’s environment played a very important role for his development. In the first season, Carl is portrayed as a very shy and reserved boy (Pilot). He would only conversate with his mother and father and would look for his parents for comfort when frightened. Therefore, Carl had a security and emotional component of attachment with his parents.
Moreover, Carl’s microsystem consisted of both parents through early childhood. In season 2, Carl witnesses his mother’s death and takes it upon him to put down his own mother (Killer Within). This ecological transition makes him more serious and cold. Carl’s mesosystem was not composed of school life or neighborhood. He was no longer able to attend school and have a stable home. Carl considered his neighbors the members of the group. His mesosystem was negatively composed. There is no longer community health institutions or any other helpful social setting. After the zombie epidemic, the government shut down. Therefore, in Carl’s macrosystem there were no laws. This promoted the fight for scarce resources and survival. According to Bronfenbrenner, as time passes, people and settings change (Berk, 2014). Everything depends on an individual’s age, intellectual capacity and personality characteristics (Berk, 2014).
On another note, Erikson’s psychosocial theory states that attitudes and skills are acquired that make the individual a contributing member of society (Berk, 2014).

During middle childhood, Carl faces the Industry vs. Inferiority stage. In episode 11 and 12 of season two, Carl blames himself for the death of Dale. Initially, Carl steals a gun from Daryl's and goes to the woods. He finds a walker trapped in the mud and decides to taunt it. Carl then steps onto the mud and holds up the gun, ready to shoot it (11). By trying to shoot the gun, Carl is trying to win approval from the group by demonstrating competencies valued by the society his living in. He takes too long and one of the walker's legs breaks free. Carl falls back and loses the gun in the mud. The walker then grabs onto Carl's feet, trying to pull him closer so he can eat him. After a fight, Carl manages to get loose and he runs back to the house. Later, Dale is attacked by a walker and dies. Carl arrives to the scene and sees that the walker that attacked Dale is the same one that he struggled with at the swamp. Horrified and feeling guilty, Carl feels a sense of

inferiority.
Moreover, as time progresses Carl reaches the identity vs role confusion. This stage came quicker in Carl’s life due to environmental factors and the fight for survival. By the third season, Carl has become battle hardened from months on the road. His firearm skills and tactical abilities have greatly improved. He is trying to establish an identity within their society (Berk, 2014). He is no longer shy around most of the group and he plays an important role for the group’s survival. He becomes very brave, constantly helping people and even risking his own life to save others. For example, in episode 7 (When the Dead Come Walking), Carl helps Michonne fight off walkers that are attacking her. After she passes out, Carl shoots the two walkers about to eat her. Carl takes the basket full of baby formula, and brings Michonne into the prison despite the fact that she was a stranger. In spite of the traumatic effect his mother's death had on Carl, it also hardened him. Carl learns that he will have to fight for survival and protect his baby sister.
In brief, Carl is a great example of how the environment can influence a person’s development. He did not have much of a childhood and we can say he had to grow up rapidly. Carl had to go through Erikson’s Psychological stages faster than normal due to the urge to fight for survival.
Additionally, the course information will be very helpful with my career. As a nurse one needs to communicate well with patients and their families.
Although, I’m already an emerging adult. Being well informed will help me through my development. For example, when getting pregnant the use or good prenatal care and avoid many harmful things that can affect the baby. In addition, to raising my own children with the appropriate parenting style to improve their cognitive and social development.