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Arthur Follows in his Dad's Footsteps: Identity vs Role Confusion
Arthur was born to a father who was an outlaw and a mother who died when Arthur was 7 years old. At age 13, Arthur's father was imprisoned for larceny. Left to fend for himself, Arthur decided to follow in his father's footsteps and joined a gang of outlaws. In Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, identity versus role confusion, adolescents are expected to form an identity and find meaning for oneself or struggle to find who they are as a person. -
Arthur's Failed Relationship: Intimacy vs Isolation
At age 22, Arthur decided to marry Mary Gillis after a four-year relationship. However, Mary's family prevented Arthur from marrying her because they disapproved of him and his lifestyle. Having lost his true love and his heart broken, Arthur vowed to never get involved in a romantic relationship again. In the sixth stage of Erikson's Theory, intimacy vs isolation, young adults begin to seek a lifelong intimate relationship. If they fail to do so, they may be alone for the rest of their life. -
Turning Point: Generativity vs Stagnation
Having only a limited time to live after being diagnosed with uncurable Tuberculosis at age 40, Arthur commits the rest of his life to help those in need in an attempt to right his wrongs. In Erikson's seventh stage, generativity versus stagnation, adults feel the need to contribute to society for the better, otherwise, they feel like they have failed to donate to the well-being of the community.
