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10 Years Old
Gloriosa is ten years old and in Mr. Ralston's fourth grade class attempting to learn long division. In Erickson's fourth developmental stage, Industry versus Inferiority, the crisis is between learning and mastering new knowledge and skills, and feeling inadequate and incompetent. Gloriosa struggles to understand long division and is frustrated that her friends seem to find it easy to comprehend and master. This leaves her feeling embarrassed and discouraged. -
17 Years Old
Gloriosa is 17 and it's the Summer of Love. She and her boyfriend, Davy, are taking a cross-country trip to look for America in his VW van. In Erickson's fifth stage, Identity versus Role Confusion, the crisis is between the individual developing independence, and a strong sense of self and personal beliefs, as opposed to feeling confused and unsure about themselves and the future. Gloriosa wants to follow her heart, make her own choices and become a Hippie, even though her parents disapprove. -
25 Years Old
Gloriosa is 25 and just divorced Walter, a nice but boring guy who hates disco and plays Pong for hours on end. In Erickson's sixth developmental stage, Intimacy versus Isolation, the crisis is between establishing lasting, meaningful relationships, and isolation and loneliness. After two years of marriage, Gloriosa recognized that she and Walter have little in common and don't spend much time together. She decides that they should go their separate ways and be free to find new partners. -
47 Years Old
Gloriosa is 47 years old and has four daughters by four different men (she's known around town as "serial mom"). In Erickson's seventh stage, Generativity versus Stagnation, the crisis is between creating a legacy for the next generation and having a sense of purpose in life, as opposed to feeling unproductive and not making meaningful contributions to society. Gloriosa is very proud of her daughters and their achievements. Her eldest is going to Harvard and her youngest is a rodeo queen.
