Psyche comes from the Greek psykhe, which suggests, “The soul, thoughts, spirit, or invisible animating entity which occupies the bodily physique.”
American: regarding or attribute of america or its inhabitants, a local or citizen of america.
Nations are complicated, particularly one as wealthy in range as america. We’ve got many myths, religions, tales and legends that drive our character. Deep in our bones, I really feel that irrespective of your religion, beliefs or origin story these myths outline you.
They outline all of us.
Possibly the very factor that makes us all “Individuals” is an adherence to those myths. They get informed in film after film. Myths that we are able to’t ever appear to get sufficient of as a result of they communicate so deeply to our soul.
THE SIX DEFINING MYTHS OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHE
The Underdog — ‘Rocky’
We love underdogs. We consider we’re the final word underdogs. From the Revolutionary Warfare on, the American Character has recognized with the underdog. The plucky loser no one offers an opportunity all of a sudden comes by way of in the long run.
George Washington turns into “Prime Gun” is one instance, however underdog films be it “8 Mile,” “Rudy,” “Breaking Away,“ “Main League” or “The Karate Child.” Even “Star Wars” exemplifies this essential pillar of identification throughout the American psyche.
The Fallen Billionaire — ‘Citizen Kane’
With a lot bounty, a lot alternative, a lot wealth within the U.S. it is smart that now we have cautionary tales that seize how unchecked greed turns into the classical fall from grace. Be it “The Wolf of Wall Avenue,” “There Will Be Blood,” “Scarface” or “Wall Avenue” we all know the dangers of flying too excessive carried solely by our hubris.
Would possibly Doesn’t Make Proper or I Fought the Legislation — ‘Erin Brockovich’ & ‘White Warmth’
The rule of legislation is central to the American psyche.
King Arthur: Proposition. Proper or fallacious. They’ve the may. So, proper or fallacious, they’re at all times proper. That’s fallacious. Proper?
Proper?
That query was requested in “Camelot” with Richard Harris in 1967 however has been requested once more in each film about gangsters like “The Godfather” to authorized thrillers (“A Few Good Males”). The resounding reply? No one is above the legislation.
Love Story — ‘Casablanca’
Individuals are hopeless romantics. We love love. We’re all votives of Aphrodite in our means. It’s a necessary a part of the American psyche. From the Statue of Liberty to a Victoria’s Secret style present, girls are an emblem of freedom AND of success.
If there may be such a factor because the patriarchy then American Patriarchy is a bit totally different in that we regularly put girls on pedestals. I suppose one might argue that turning girls into “Goddesses” is a type of objectification and exploitation simply as a lot as forcing a girl to put on clothes head to toe to stop males from getting excited and establishing property boundaries.
I’d argue it’s totally different right here: we love girls on this nation in a means that no different nation on earth loves girls. “Casablanca” might solely have been made within the good ole U. S. of A.
Ragtag Group of Buddies — ‘Power 10 from Navarone’ & ‘The Breakfast Membership’
Different nations and peoples have friendships, after all, however there’s one thing concerning the American psyche that promotes the sorts of friendships and partnerships that may transfer mountains. I feel we do mates greatest.
Within the U.S. mates make all of the distinction, and our films replicate that. See “The Goonies,” “Toy Story,” “Lord of the Rings,” “The Station Agent” and “Stand By Me.”
The Lone Wolf — James Bond
I’ve usually joked that England is our mum, France our dad, Germany our cool uncle with the toys within the storage, Canada and Australia our brothers, Scandinavia our grandparents (with the cookie tin), Italy and Spain the recent cousins.
This analogy can get stretched skinny, however out of all of the friendships now we have as a nation no bond is stronger than that of our ties with England.
England is our journey or die.
And we definitely have a James Bond sort determine in our psyche, however what’s fascinating is how that mythos will get mutated within the States to one thing extra like Rambo. James Bond is for King and Nation however the U.S. model is at all times a bit unhappy, lonely and in ache.
Assume Snake Plissken.
The world is on our shoulders, however the place the English thoughts assumes that mantle with grace and good cheer (and conceitedness if we’re being trustworthy) on our shoulders it has at all times been a burden. It’s by no means a mantle we wished to take up within the first place however because it’s fallen to us we’ll do the most effective we are able to.
Did I miss any important fantasy? Which fantasy do you most establish with?