Normans Interpersonal Communication in the Movie, On...

Normans Interpersonal Communication in the Movie, On Golden Pond EXAMPLE The movie On Golden Pond is a fantastic vehicle with which to consider six facets of interpersonal communication. The main character of the movie, Norman, provides for a multifaceted study in relationships, both with his self and with others. I have chosen to focus this paper on several aspects of Normans interpersonal communication. On Golden Pond is a fascinating study in the discovery of Normans need to communicate with those he cares about in new ways. Our textbook defines communication being interpersonal when the people involved are contacting each other as persons (4). On Golden Pond is rich with excellent†¦show more content†¦Even though the mail carrier attempts to communicate with Norman, Norman will not let down his guard and connect interpersonally with him. During the movie we learn that Norman is actually quite capable of moving towards the interpersonal side of the communication continuum. Norman develops a friendship with Billy, a teenager staying with Norman and Ethel for a month. Throughout the movie Norman stretches his normally closed communication patterns as he grows to care for Billy. Evidently Norman is able to transcend his old pattern of shutting everyone out. He learns that he must be willing to disclose a bit about himself if he wants a relationship with Billy. Our text defines self presentation as the process of revealing or disclosing ourselves by verbally and nonverbally telling other people something about who we are (233). Normans self-concept is that of a dour old man waiting to die, and this is how he presents himself. He views himself as a patriarch - a man worthy of respect. His inclination and habit is to keep himself hidden away from others. A Johari Window (239-240) would be an interesting tool for analyzing Normans personal presentation and disclosure processes. Our textbook explains the Johari Window as having four kinds of information about your self that play a part in your communicating (240).