Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie, right) and young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) in Gotham. Jessica Miglio/Fox
This article was written by the psychiatrists of Broadcast Thought—Dr. Vasilis K. Pozios and Dr. Praveen R. Kambam. Minor spoilers for Gotham follow.
Because it’s essentially an origin story for the Batman universe, the heroes and villains on Fox’s Gotham face constant challenges as they grow into their familiar roles. Detective James Gordon wages a seemingly unwinnable war against corruption in the show’s titular city. Oswald Cobblepot attempts to earn (self-) respect while yearning for power amongst Gotham’s crime families. And young Bruce Wayne, of course, must come to terms with the death of his parents. How they handle these issues solidifies who they will become—good or bad.
In real life, how people cope with adversity may be more important to their outcomes than the hardship they face. The same can be said for the characters of Gotham. Their coping styles—both adaptive and maladaptive—are just one piece of their evolution into heroes or villains. But for Bruce Wayne, successfully coping with loss and overcoming adversity are central to his transformation into Batman. Is there something unique to how Bruce reacts to life’s challenges compared to the other heroes and villains of Gotham?
Inside Bruce Wayne’s Head
The Wayne murders have a huge impact on Bruce. Following the death of his parents, the troubled 12-year-old has difficulty falling asleep, a shifted sleep cycle, and nightmares. His nocturnal anguish bleeds into his daytime activities: When he isn’t peering over the ledge of Wayne Manor’s roof, Bruce burns and cuts himself, listens to death metal, and draws disembodied heads dripping with blood.
So, what’s going on in Bruce’s head?
Perhaps Bruce is simply grieving the loss of his parents—a normal process called bereavement. However, his behaviors suggest something more. Is he depressed? Possibly. After all, he just witnessed his parents’ violent murders. His refusal to eat also could be a sign of depression. So while Bruce dismisses his self-injurious behaviors as simply “testing” himself, this might be a ruse.
Some people cut or burn themselves out of guilt and self-loathing. Some self-injure to relieve anguish and achieve emotional release. Others do it to feel a rush caused by endogenous opioids. Could Bruce’s self-injury mark the beginning of Batman’s penchant for physical punishment?
And what do we make of his overnight fascination with dark subject matter? Maybe Bruce’s disturbing doodles and death metal playlist indicate the start of a nihilistic mindset. But Batman isn’t nihilistic—he wouldn’t fight an unwinnable war on crime if he were. So while bereavement or depression may explain his behavioral changes, there could be another cause.
Does Bruce Wayne Have PTSD?
The death of his parents is a huge loss for Bruce. It shatters his innocence. Making matters worse, he saw them gunned down. Does experiencing that kind of psychological trauma mean post-traumatic stress disorder is to blame for some of Bruce’s actions?
Possibly. Even though audiences don’t know their content, Bruce’s nightmares may be a form of re-experiencing the trauma, and many trauma survivors engage in risky behavior. But even if we consider his sleep problems and risk-taking behavior as signs of PTSD, Bruce doesn’t exhibit other symptoms necessary for that diagnosis, and his symptoms seem short-lived and are easily resolved.
Although most people who experience psychological trauma don’t develop PTSD, it’s almost miraculous Bruce hasn’t, given that as many as 100 percent of children who witness the killing of a parent develop the disorder, according to the National Center for PTSD. So why doesn’t everyone who experiences psychological trauma develop PTSD?
Alfred (Sean Pertwee, right) gives Bruce (David Mazouz) a fighting lesson. Jessica Miglio/Fox
Although we don’t know for sure, we can credit psychological resilience for the ability to withstand adversity, both in real life and on Gotham.
Several factors promote resilience, and Bruce Wayne exhibits many of them. In understanding the inner workings of Gotham, Bruce utilizes good problem-solving and communication skills—after all, he will become the world’s greatest detective. He feels up to the challenge—sometimes to the chagrin of Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee)—and sees himself as resilient, not a victim. He seeks Alfred’s help not only in his amateur detective work, but also in teaching him to defend himself from bullies. Bruce’s caring nature is seen in his concern for the patients affected by the eighty-sixing of his parents’ plan for an Arkham mental-health facility and in his helping Gotham’s runaways through generous donations.
Empathy, problem-solving, self-confidence, and help-seeking can help us rebound from loss. But the most important factor in fostering resilience may be caring and supportive relationships. Despite the loss of his parents, Bruce enjoys close bonds with Alfred and James Gordon (Ben McKenzie). These surrogate parents become role models who offer encouragement and reassurance.
But they each face adversity in sometimes less than effective ways.
James Gordon Is a Hammer, and Every Problem Is a Nail
Much like Batman’s utility belt, psychological resilience means using the proper tools to adapt to difficult situations and appropriately deal with adversity. But when the only tool is a hammer, you tend to see all problems as nails. Case in point: James Gordon.
Being rigid may give a certain sense of control and predictability when faced with the overwhelming task of cleaning up Gotham, but it doesn’t always fit the situation. Gordon’s relative lack of flexibility and idealistic over-adherence to rules alienates himself from fellow Gotham City Police Department officers, and pegs him as the opposite of a team player. Also, we see Gordon’s over-involvement start degrading his relationship with Barbara Kean (Erin Richards)—a warning to the future Batman about the dangers of obsession.
Similarly, and possibly as a consequence of his military background, Alfred Pennyworth has a tendency to regimented thinking and a strict sense of duty to fulfill Thomas Wayne’s wishes for Bruce’s upbringing. Perhaps this helps Alfred cope with the loss of the Waynes and maintain some sense of control after being thrust into the role of surrogate parent. Regardless, although Alfred’s parenting style tends to be a bit rigid at times, he has young Master Bruce’s interests at heart—at least from his own perspective.
‘No Psychiatrists … That’s the Rule.’
When Gordon asks Alfred if Bruce has received professional help, Alfred responds, “No psychiatrists … that’s the rule.” Apparently, Thomas Wayne’s posthumous instruction to Alfred was no mental health treatment for Bruce so that he can “choose his own course.” It seems a bit unusual for an esteemed physician such as Dr. Wayne to hold extreme an opinion—particularly given his comprehensive plan to overhaul Arkham and improve mental health care in Gotham. But whatever the reason, Alfred’s blanket denial of medical treatment for Bruce seems neglectful.
Gordon encourages Bruce to seek psychotherapy, like he did when dealing with combat trauma. But instead, the detective becomes Bruce’s surrogate therapist—at least for an episode. And, with a nod, Gordon acquiesces to Alfred’s no psychiatrist rule.
Yet despite the lack of psychiatric care, Bruce eventually rebounds from the tragic loss of his parents. For this, we can credit his psychological resilience.
Bruce Wayne takes revenge on a classmate in Gotham. Jessica Miglio/Fox
The Resilience Necessary to Become Batman (Sort Of)
Because of resilience factors, Bruce shows the psychological grit to endure his hardships and one day don the Batman cowl. But the birth of the Dark Knight isn’t about simply enduring—it’s about becoming something more. It’s about the psychological phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth.
In the struggle to cope with trauma, some people exhibit personal growth and realize positive changes in their lives. Post-traumatic growth means gaining a greater sense of personal strength, discovering new possibilities, and finding a higher purpose and meaning to life. For Bruce, that means dressing like a bat and declaring a one-man war on crime.
But Batman’s beginning isn’t the end of Bruce’s suffering. When Bruce asks Alfred if the pain will ever go away, Alfred should tell Bruce that growth and suffering can co-exist—like Batman and Bruce Wayne. Interestingly, growth comes from the struggle to cope with psychological trauma—not from the traumatic event itself. In fact, traumatic events aren’t necessary for growth, nor are those occurrences necessarily beneficial. In other words, Bruce Wayne’s parents didn’t need to die in order for him to become Batman.
Just don’t bother telling that to him.
No comments:
Post a Comment