Role Conflict In The Walking Dead

Walking Dead In the AMC series, The Walking Dead, you are abruptly pulled in as you see the modern world quickly change into a post apocalyptic nightmare. As viewers are seeing the new world for the first time, they are not given a clear understanding of what has occurred that has changed the world so dramatically. As the show progresses, the audience continues to learn more of what has transpired. This is done through the main character, Rick Grimes. Initially, he wakes up in a hospital bed disoriented only to find dead bodies littering the ground as well as blood splattered against the walls. He quickly learns that while he has been asleep, the outside world has been infected with some sort of disease that has run rampant through the city.

Role conflict occurs when a person experiences conflict within a status, or a singular role that we play. This can cause a lot of strain on the individual. In the show, Andrea and her sister, Amy, were brought closer together by the recent tragedy. However, this shifts when the camp is attacked by “walkers.” As a result, Amy is attacked and infected by the “walkers. On one side, Andrea is then faced with a terrible choice, as her sister she should protect Amy. Yet, because Amy is no longer herself, Andrea feels it is her responsibility to make sure that she doesn’t harm anyone else. This situation has caused Andrea to experience role conflict. In the show, this difficult situation causes Andrea to choose to end Amy’s life.
Teamwork, front stage, back stage, and role conflict can be seen throughout The Walking Dead series. Teamwork can be seen when Daryl, Theodore, and Rick work together to look intimidating to their enemies. Likewise, front stage can be seen when the gangsters and Rick's group are facing off. This is a front stage because each group is giving a performance. In contrast, the gangsters back stage is exposed when one of their members grandmother comes out. Likewise, role conflict becomes evident when Andrea must decide whether or not to kill her sister,