Norman And Ethel Psychology

The five indices of age are chronological, biological, functional, psychological, and social. Norman and Ethel exemplify, in their own ways, all five indices starting with age. Ethel, being in her late 60s in the movie would put her in the young-old division of old age, while Norman who turned 80 would be part of the old-old division of old age. Ethel seems to be, by all parameters, biologically healthy without any noticeable heart or physiological problems. Norman, on the other hand, has some heart conditions, which becomes evident when Charlie brings over his heart medication in the mail and he says that he has palpitations.
Functionally, Ethel seems to be in great shape, which is evident in the fact that in the opening scene she is hauling in large logs. She is still physically capable of picking fruits from the forest, and even goes jumping into the water to save Charlie and Norman who were shipwrecked in Purgatory cove. Functionally, Norman is still able to do most of his daily tasks, but the decrease in his mental …show more content…
Ethel, throughout the movie, is a social butterfly and loves contact with others. She talks to Norman in the beginning about how she met a couple in the woods and they invited them over for dinner. She goes on to offer Charlie coffee and invite him over which is the same hospitality that she shows to Bill, Chelsea, and Billy Jr. when they come over. Norman is more recluse. He does not show proper social manners at the beginning of the movie when Charlie comes over by not saying goodbye properly and scoffs at the idea of having dinner with another couple. It can be seen through Chelsea’s feelings towards Norman that he was unable to relate to her as a father, which she so desperately wanted. However, by the end of the movie, he is able to socially connect with Billy Jr., begin to develop a relationship with his daughter, still maintain a loving relationship with his wife