Question

Describe and analyze Travis Bickle’s psychopathological personality. How are aspects of his psychopathology conveyed cinematically? That is, in addition to dialogue and voiceover narration, how does the film articulate and underscore Bickle’s inner states visually, through imagery, mise-en-scene, and camera work? Give vivid examples from the film. (1000 words)

Answer 1

This has been one of the most famous case studies of schizotypal personality disorder

Travis had applied for a job in the form of a cab driver. He had been in a war, which might lead to mental issues. Further, Traci’s is obsessed and has an obsessive psyche. The behaviors that travis displays are consistent with schizotypal personality disorder.

He continues to have abstract thoughts. People having schizotypal personality disorder have abstract thoughts, without concrete ideas, though, these ideas are comprehensible. Traci’s is not able to keep up his normal relationships.

Travis begins to form an obsession with crime, corruption. Also got with an increase in his night life, there is an increase in the repulsion to the kind of life that travis does not want. Travis gets further exposed to this lifestyle leading to difficulties in creation of relationships.

Travis has begun frequent visits to por-nographic movie theatres. He tries to create a relationship with the concession girl and attempts to ask her out, without the understanding that this is incorrect. He displays inappropriate social behavior. He also takes his girlfriend to the same theatre for a date.

He doesn’t understand why his girlfriend understood this as negative and flees the theatre. He keeps suspicion and paranoia and is not able to understand why women have made their decisions up. Not understanding the reason for his failed relationships, he sorts to resort in corruption.

Also, he believes in magical thinking, where, he behaves oddly. He thinks he has the power of resolving different levels of corruption. He believes, leaning society would be done through assassination.

Murder as well as assassination are not mainstream concepts found in America, and would be used by people having extremist thoughts. Normal people would be utilising different methods for resolution of problems.

Also, Travis shows how he had a consistent obsession with various se-xual thoughts as he consistently views po-rnographic theatres and he isn’t even able to resist the temptation in not doing so. He believes that prostitution is the reason that is corrupting the society. Also, he is not able to look into any other reasons.

His symptoms are also seen in the interview where he displays inappropriate behaviors and chuckles. This shows that his symptoms have been there for quite some amount of time.

Also, there are potentials of alcohol abuse. He is also seen to be popping pills, at a dining. Though, the medications seem to be from a prescription bottle, the purpose of the medications are not mentioned or elaborated. He has the desire to maintain as well as create relationships and is not able to do so because of proper social behaviour. His symptoms appear to be at age 26, displaying that his symptoms might have been there since early adulthood