The Dynamics of Hope in Unkrich and Molina’s Coco

  • Chia-Chi Chien
  • Ya-huei Wang Department of Applied Foreign Languages, Chung Shan Medical University; Department of Medical Education, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
DOI: https://doi.org/10.9744/kata.22.2.79-83
Keywords: bereavement, grief, hope, Kübler-Ross model, loss

Abstract

This study analyzes how the characters in Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina’s animated film Coco, mainly Mamá Imelda, Héctor, and Miguel, manage their emotional responses when they are facing loss, bereavement, or other significant changes in their lives. The study uses Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five-stage model of grief to analyze how these characters go through the grieving process. Moreover, in order to suggest how those who are grieving can enter into positive states of mind, the study expands on Kübler-Ross’s original model by incorporating a positive mindset of hope. In dialogue with Unkrich and Molina’s film, the study uses Kübler-Ross’s ideas to explore coping mechanisms that can help manage difficult times in life, while also suggesting the benefits of maintaining a positive mindset through hope.

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Author Biography

Ya-huei Wang, Department of Applied Foreign Languages, Chung Shan Medical University; Department of Medical Education, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
a-hueiWang is a Professor at Chung-Shan Medical University, Taiwan. She got herMaster degree in English language and literature from University of Rochester,US.A. and her Ph.D. in education from National Changhwa University ofEducation, Taiwan. Her current research interests include medical humanitiesliterature study, computer-assisted language learning, technology-enhanced languagelearning, optimal learning cluster, English language learning anxiety, andlanguage learning strategies.Recent Publications: Quality & Quantity (SSCI), International Journal of Occupational Safetyand Ergonomics (SCI), International Journalof Technology, Policy, and Management (EI), etc.

References

Boerner, K., Stroebe, M., Schut, H., Wortman, C. (2016). Theories of grief and bereavement. [Gerontological encyclopedia entry]. In N. Pachana, (Ed.), Encyclopedia of geropsychology (pp. 1-10). Singapore: Springer.
Bruce, C.A. (2007). Helping patients, families, caregivers and physicians in the grieving process. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 107(12), 33-40.
Kübler-Ross, E. (1969). On death and dying. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Kübler-Ross, E. (1997). On death and dying. New York, NY: Scribner.
Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2005). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. New York, NY: Scribner.
Marsh, J. (2014). The theory of everything. London: Working Title Films.
Molina, A., & Aldrich, M. (2017). Coco screenplay. CA: Pixar Animation Studios.
Unkrich, L., & Molina, A. (2017). Coco. CA: Pixar Animation Studios.
Published
2020-12-13
How to Cite
Chien, C.-C., & Wang, Y.- huei. (2020). The Dynamics of Hope in Unkrich and Molina’s Coco. K@ta: A Biannual Publication on the Study of Languange and Literature, 22(2), 79-83. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.9744/kata.22.2.79-83
Issue
Vol 22 No 2 (2020): DECEMBER 2020
Section
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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