Character Analysis: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

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Everyone makes choices in their lives, and most people experience a variety of subtle or noticeable changes in their personality as a result of them, depending on the type of choice and its consequences. This idea is reflected in David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where Benjamin’s personality undergoes considerable changes because of the choices he makes, specifically regarding his emotional courage. The film follows the growth of his emotional courage, from being inspired by Queenie taking him in when no one else would, to having to make the pivotal decision of leaving Daisy and his daughter. By exploring his development, Fincher suggests that the significant life choices he makes opens up opportunities to go through new experiences, such as meeting Elizabeth, finding out that Mr. Button is his father, and forming a relationship with Daisy, and that these experiences allow Benjamin to develop emotional courage in his relationships. Early on in the film, using the emotional courage he gains from having Queenie as a role model in taking him in and raising him, Benjamin is able to make the decision to work for Captain Mike on his tugboat. This gives him the opportunity to meet someone …show more content…

His choices allow him to go through new and unexpected events, such as meeting Elizabeth, discovering who is father is, and becoming close with Elizabeth, each of these slowly developing his emotional courage in different ways. Together, they culminate in him having the emotional courage to eventually make the difficult decision of leaving Daisy and his daughter, Caroline. The result of Benjamin’s emotional courage is perfectly embodied in the quote by Anaïs Nin: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.” Like Benjamin, one must build their emotional courage to open up opportunities in their lives. Only then can one truly live