Personality Theories and Danny Phantom: A Wild Ride From Start To Finish Butch Hartman, creator of Danny Phantom, Fairly-Odd Parents, Wander Over Yonder, and many other classic cartoons of the 2000s is known for his fantastic character development and the unique personalities he gives to his characters. The best example of his work is found in Danny Phantom, the story of teenage boy Danny Fenton, who becomes half-ghost through an accident in his parent’s laboratory. To quote the opening theme, ‘his molecules get all rearranged.’ While the show in no way bases itself on real science, Danny Phantom has one of the most complex personalities in any of Butch Hartman’s work. The most obvious way Danny’s personality is shaped is simply by virtue
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According to Maslow, there is a hierarchy of needs applied to each person, and to fulfill one’s needs further along in the hierarchy, one must first fulfill their more basic needs. Danny is a middle class teenager in a nice neighborhood, allowing his Physiological and Safety needs to be met easily. He has two close friends, and a relatively supportive family, meeting his requirements for Love/Belonging. Esteem is where Danny begins to falter. He is bullied at school, and occasionally ridiculed by his teachers and parents, thereby stopping him at his need for Esteem, and disallowing him to reach self-actualization. However, when Danny becomes his superhero persona, he is applauded by his peers, allowing him to meet his Esteem needs, and become self-actualized. Danny Phantom creates realistic portrayals of teenage life, and does so by giving the main character, Danny Phantom, an interesting, complex personality. Danny is still developing, because he is a teenager, but he also has certain traits already ingrained into his personality that make him who he is. His family dynamic, friendships, and school environment all change him both before and during the series, similar to how people’s personalities can change in real
According to Maslow, there is a hierarchy of needs applied to each person, and to fulfill one’s needs further along in the hierarchy, one must first fulfill their more basic needs. Danny is a middle class teenager in a nice neighborhood, allowing his Physiological and Safety needs to be met easily. He has two close friends, and a relatively supportive family, meeting his requirements for Love/Belonging. Esteem is where Danny begins to falter. He is bullied at school, and occasionally ridiculed by his teachers and parents, thereby stopping him at his need for Esteem, and disallowing him to reach self-actualization. However, when Danny becomes his superhero persona, he is applauded by his peers, allowing him to meet his Esteem needs, and become self-actualized. Danny Phantom creates realistic portrayals of teenage life, and does so by giving the main character, Danny Phantom, an interesting, complex personality. Danny is still developing, because he is a teenager, but he also has certain traits already ingrained into his personality that make him who he is. His family dynamic, friendships, and school environment all change him both before and during the series, similar to how people’s personalities can change in real