The Web of Self: Symbolic Interactionism Unraveled in Coraline’s World
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I recently wrote a piece on the Theory of the Self and Symbolic Interactionism, which will be a great precursor to this post, if you haven’t read that already or if you need a hand in learning more about those concepts before reading this! You can find “The Social Mirror: Symbolic Interactionism’s Impact on Self-Perception” right on my profile!
Through its use of symbols, complex character interactions, and the examination of identity through Coraline’s journey, Coraline provides an accurate demonstration of applying symbolic interactionism. The movie illustrates how relationships are shaped by symbols and interactions, and how these factors all play a part in the continuous process of self-discovery.
The story revolves around Coraline Jones, a young girl who moves to a new home, the Pink Palace, with her parents and discovers a secret door that leads to a parallel world. In this alternate reality, she discovers an idealized version of her life with her “Other Mother” and “Other Father.” She soon learns that this world harbors evil secrets, and in order to protect herself and her real parents, she must confront her Other Mother, a demonic, shape-shifting creature that lures kids into the other world in order to steal their souls and use…
