Alienation and Fulfillment as Seen in Taxi Driver By: Elio Felli
In the crowded but desolate streets of New-York a man remembered by none works throughout the night; he performs diligently, he fulfills his role, he is just another cog in the machine. He cannot take it anymore.
This text aims to shortly, but effectively, study the complex nuance found in the movie “Taxi Driver” and explain the importance of its contents. Much can be learned by psychologically analyzing Travis Bickle, a man always uncomfortable, always in pain and always distraught. Why? He just cannot seem to figure it out.
What gives life meaning? What makes it worth living?
Our lives are made up of many different moments and activities, some are enjoyable, some are not, and some are necessary to maintain a healthy body and mind. Among the daily happenings of an ordinary person, none are as important to mental health as their job. By nature, humans are social animals whose mental health depends on interaction with others. The idea of being useful to our people is innate in us and is expressed through our professions; they are an individual’s way to utilize their skills for the good of others. Finding the right job is crucial to maintaining a healthy mind, it must be fulfilling and allow for individuality to shine through; no job fits the bill worse than that of a taxi driver.
Travis is introduced to us viewers as he signs up to become a driver, not because of a lack of money but to fill in the nights in which he’s unable to sleep. Being a veteran, just now returning to society, he lacks a greater purpose; he feels lonely, disconnected and alienated from everyone around him. How does he think to resolve this? Without realizing it himself he seeks something bigger through work. Had Travis found fulfillment we wouldn’t have witnessed his progressive mental breakdown throughout the course of the movie.
Our main character is clearly incapable of deducing what it is that’s making him feel so uncomfortable with his life and, therefore, unable to change it: he lacks the ability to self-analyze.
As onlookers ourselves it’s quite easy to believe that it could never be us running headfirst into such obvious mistakes, however, that is only the case because of our position. Self-analysis will always be more difficult than judging another person. That is why even the cleverest among us can still make these same mistakes, no one is born with the ability to properly analyze a situation and better their selves from it. It is an ability that must be developed through active attention.
Travis, having clearly never been educated on the matter, is lead down a sad path of shifting responsibility onto others and incoherent rambling.
Where do ignorance and lack of self-analysis leave Travis?
Unable to understand what the issues plaguing him are he is only certain of one thing: drastic action is needed. Months of laborious and alienating work have left him feeling like nothing he does matters; all he wants now is to leave a mark.
Fortunately, the story ends quite well for Travis. The drastic action he takes is towards some gangsters. He saves a young girl and is recognized as a hero. However, Travis’s issues have not been solved, he is still a ticking time bomb, and no one knows when or who he will explode onto next. Not even himself.