Anomie, Alienation and the Grandiose Self:  Socio-Psychological Analysis of Taxi Driver (1976)

Deniz Kurtyılmaz; Bedir Han Ünlü

Makale detayları

Anomie, Alienation and the Grandiose Self: Socio-Psychological Analysis of Taxi Driver (1976)

Yazarlar:

Deniz Kurtyılmaz | Bedir Han Ünlü

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

İletişim ve Medya Çalışmaları (Diğer)

Dergi:

Selçuk İletişim Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.669-692

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

10/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001360153

pISSN:

2148-2942

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 This study examines the alienation, loneliness, identity crisis, and existential struggles of the modern individual through Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver 1976. It argues that the film depicts not just the psychological breakdown of an individual but also the broader existential problems generated by modern society. The main purpose of the study is to uncover the structural factors underlying individual crises by situating Travis Bickles inner turmoil within a social context. His transformation is analyzed in light of theoretical frameworks such as anomie, alienation, narcissistic defense mechanisms, the individuation process, and psychological vulnerability. These concepts are explored through the perspectives of thinkers including Durkheim, Marx, Fromm, and Kohut. Traviss loneliness, estrangement from society, and search for meaning are linked to the oppressive and alienating forces of modern urban life. The research employs a qualitative approach: the film is examined through reflexive thematic analysis, informed by sociological and psychoanalytical perspectives. The relationship between the films narrative language and Traviss inner world is analyzed, demonstrating that the crises experienced by the character have roots not simply in the individual but in society as well. Consequently, it is emphasized that identity formation is shaped by social conditions alongside personal ones. Taxi Driver thus offers a powerful narrative that remains relevant today about anomie, loneliness, alienation, and the neurotic states into which individuals may be driven in attempting to overcome them.

 This study examines the alienation, loneliness, identity crisis, and existential struggles of the modern individual through Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver 1976. It argues that the film depicts not just the psychological breakdown of an individual but also the broader existential problems generated by modern society. The main purpose of the study is to uncover the structural factors underlying individual crises by situating Travis Bickles inner turmoil within a social context. His transformation is analyzed in light of theoretical frameworks such as anomie, alienation, narcissistic defense mechanisms, the individuation process, and psychological vulnerability. These concepts are explored through the perspectives of thinkers including Durkheim, Marx, Fromm, and Kohut. Traviss loneliness, estrangement from society, and search for meaning are linked to the oppressive and alienating forces of modern urban life. The research employs a qualitative approach: the film is examined through reflexive thematic analysis, informed by sociological and psychoanalytical perspectives. The relationship between the films narrative language and Traviss inner world is analyzed, demonstrating that the crises experienced by the character have roots not simply in the individual but in society as well. Consequently, it is emphasized that identity formation is shaped by social conditions alongside personal ones. Taxi Driver thus offers a powerful narrative that remains relevant today about anomie, loneliness, alienation, and the neurotic states into which individuals may be driven in attempting to overcome them.

 This study examines the alienation, loneliness, identity crisis, and existential struggles of the modern individual through Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver 1976. It argues that the film depicts not just the psychological breakdown of an individual but also the broader existential problems generated by modern society. The main purpose of the study is to uncover the structural factors underlying individual crises by situating Travis Bickles inner turmoil within a social context. His transformation is analyzed in light of theoretical frameworks such as anomie, alienation, narcissistic defense mechanisms, the individuation process, and psychological vulnerability. These concepts are explored through the perspectives of thinkers including Durkheim, Marx, Fromm, and Kohut. Traviss loneliness, estrangement from society, and search for meaning are linked to the oppressive and alienating forces of modern urban life. The research employs a qualitative approach: the film is examined through reflexive thematic analysis, informed by sociological and psychoanalytical perspectives. The relationship between the films narrative language and Traviss inner world is analyzed, demonstrating that the crises experienced by the character have roots not simply in the individual but in society as well. Consequently, it is emphasized that identity formation is shaped by social conditions alongside personal ones. Taxi Driver thus offers a powerful narrative that remains relevant today about anomie, loneliness, alienation, and the neurotic states into which individuals may be driven in attempting to overcome them.

 Bu çalışma, Martin Scorsesenin Taxi Driver 1976 filmi aracılığıyla modern bireyin yabancılaşma, yalnızlık, kimlik krizi ve varoluşsal bunalımlarını incelemektedir. Çalışmada, filmin yalnızca bireysel bir psikolojik çöküşü tasvir etmediği, aynı zamanda modern toplumun ürettiği daha geniş ölçekli varoluşsal sorunları görünür kıldığı savunulmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda çalışmanın temel amacı, Travis Bickleın içsel krizlerini toplumsal bağlamda ele alarak bireysel sorunların ardında yatan yapısal etmenleri açığa çıkarmaktır. Karakterin dönüşümü; anomi, yabancılaşma, narsisistik savunma mekanizmaları, bireyleşme süreci ve psikolojik kırılganlık gibi kuramsal çerçeveler ışığında çözümlenmektedir. Söz konusu kavramlar, Durkheim, Marx, Fromm ve Kohut gibi düşünürlerin görüşleri üzerinden tartışmaya açılmaktadır. Travisin yalnızlığı, topluma yabancılaşması ve anlam arayışı, modern kentsel yaşamın birey üzerindeki baskıcı ve yabancılaştırıcı etkileriyle ilişkilendirilmektedir. Araştırma, nitel bir yöntem benimsemekte; film, sosyolojik ve psikanalitik yaklaşımlar doğrultusunda refleksif tematik analiz yöntemiyle incelenmektedir. Filmin anlatı dili ile Travisin iç dünyası arasındaki ilişki çözümlenmiş, karakterin deneyimlediği krizlerin yalnızca bireysel değil aynı zamanda toplumsal kökenlere sahip olduğu ortaya konmuştur. Dolayısıyla, kimlik oluşumunun bireysel olduğu kadar toplumsal koşullar tarafından da şekillendiği vurgulanmaktadır. Taxi Driver, günümüzde de güncelliğini koruyan; anomi, yalnızlık ve yabancılaşma ile bunların aşılması çabasında bireyi sürükleyebilecek nevrotik durumlar üzerine güçlü bir anlatı sunmaktadır.

Makale detayları

Anomie, Alienation and the Grandiose Self: Socio-Psychological Analysis of Taxi Driver (1976)

Yazarlar:

Deniz Kurtyılmaz | Bedir Han Ünlü

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

İletişim ve Medya Çalışmaları (Diğer)

Dergi:

Selçuk İletişim Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.669-692

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

10/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001360153

pISSN:

2148-2942

Anomie

Alienation

Individuation

Grandiose self

Taxi DriverAnomi

Yabancılaşma

Bireyleşme

Büyüklenmeci kendilik

Taxi Driver

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Deniz Kurtyılmaz | Bedir Han Ünlü

Yayıncı: Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar: İletişim ve Medya Çalışmaları (Diğer)

Dergi: Selçuk İletişim Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.669-692

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 10/2025

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001360153

pISSN: 2148-2942

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Deniz Kurtyılmaz | Bedir Han Ünlü

Yayıncı:

Selcuk University

Ana Başlıklar:

İletişim ve Medya Çalışmaları (Diğer)

Dergi:

Selçuk İletişim Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.669-692

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

10/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001360153

pISSN:

2148-2942