Free Essay On A Beautiful Mind

The Beautiful Mind presents schizophrenia as a form of madness that causes an individual to lose the ability to differentiate between real and imagined situations. In the movie, John Nash, a brilliant mathematician loses his sanity to schizophrenic hallucinations. Another negative symptom of schizophrenia is paranoia. Nash repeatedly attacks several people who try to help him while he is engrossed in one of his episodes. He punches Dr Rosen as he attempts to flee from imaginary soviet secret agents. He accidentally knocks his wife Alicia down together with his son as he tries to save them from Parcher an imaginary enemy.
/> Schizophrenia helped Nash to heighten his analytical abilities. He was able to solve complex codes mentally because of his ability to analyze complex numbers. Nash was also fully aware of his academic abilities. His schizophrenia began as a way of escaping his intellectually unchallenging job. He began imagining that he was a government agent working on finding evidence of secret Soviet messages in American media. Nash is also able to concentrate for hours on a given task. He becomes obsessive about discovering secret patterns in newspapers and magazines but unfortunately these patterns, and conspiracies only existed in his mind. When he mastered his mind, Nash was able to beat schizophrenia, regain his academic credentials and win a Nobel prize.
The movie praises the virtues of enduring love and true friendship. Nash’s wife,Alice,stands by him at a time when his career and mental health have collapsed. Alice gives Nash the emotional support that he needs to beat his conditions. She shows him an unfailing love even when he hurts her and their son physically. When Nash finally recovers and regains his career, Alice is by his side to celebrate his Nobel award. This scene shows that families should support each other during good and bad times. Martin Hansen, Nash’s old friend and academic rival employ Nash at Princeton even before he fully recovers. Hansen demonstrates that a good friend should lend a helping hand during times of need. The mathematics community provides and invaluable support system for Nash and Alice during the most difficult part of Nash’s struggle with schizophrenia.
The title of the movie, “A Beautiful Mind” clearly shows that the movie is about an exemplary form of intelligence. The themes of education and intellect are addressed throughout the movies. The movie begins with Nash meeting other intellectuals at Princeton University an institution of higher learning that admits the best brains in the World. Nash uses his educations and outstanding intellect to develop the award winning game theory. Alice is attracted to Nash partly because of the arrogance that arises from his intelligence.
The American society does not fully understand schizophrenia and how it affects the patients and their families. The movie candidly covers the realities of schizophrenia for the patients, their families and colleagues. Mental illness is portrayed as health issue that has the potential of breaking families, careers and friendships. The movie also shows that, with proper treatment and support, those suffering from mental illness can overcome their conditions and lead a productive life. Many cultures are quick to medicate and institutionalize mentally ill patients instead of using alternative therapies that help the patients to identify their behavioral triggers and unhealthy thought patterns.
Overall, the movie places family and friendship as the best institutions for fighting mental illness. The story covers the timeline between the 1950s and 1990s. Despite the changes in social values through this time period, Nash is surrounded by his wife, children and friends who care about him. After recovery, he is given another chance to rebuild his career, and he eventually wins one of the most coveted prizes in science. This is a confirmation that with the right support, schizophrenic people can become productive members of society.