Introduction

‘The Blind Side’ is an intriguing movie based on the amazing factual story of Baltimore Ravens’ Michael Oher. Michael spent most his childhood in Housing projects with his mom in Memphis. Michael’s life story commences with him being destitute and coming from a dysfunctional family. His mother is a drug addict, his father is irresponsible, and Michael rarely sees him. Due to his troubled background, family services take charge of the situation at a young age. Unfortunately, he moved from one foster home to another and as a teenager, he find himself abandoned by individuals that lived with him. As fate would have it, a coach is looking for a player and coincidentally, Michael seems to fit all characteristics the coach is searching for. Michael joins a private Christian institute. Tuohy kids attend the same school. In person, Michael is a soft individual. More so, the movie portrays him as person with an innocent character because he interacts and plays with nursery school kids who usually ignore his advances or reject him completely. S.J Tuohy, the youngest sibling among the Tuohy, befriends Michael and create a solid connection to each other. This essay simply looks at the character of Leigh Anne Tuohy in relation to the () personality theory and her impact on Michael’s life.

Character Evaluation Leigh Anne Tuohy

Leigh Anne Tuohy spouse to Sean Tuohy, a dedicated Christian and the main individual who assists Michael Oher attain a successful football career. It is Anne Tuohy who briefly after Michael joins Briarcrest, takes notes of his lack of basic needs such as food, Clothes, and a place to call home (The Blind Side ,2009). She takes the initiative, buys food, clothes, and invites him to her home. In various scenes of the movie, Anne suggests that something deep down in her heart compels her to lend a helping hand to Michael even though she cannot put a finger to the actual underlying reasons that makes her assist Michael. Anne and Michael grow fond of each other: she understands his quite, calm nature more than other people in his life do. Later in the movie, Anne plays a fundamental role in convincing his coaches to permit him participate more in the games and motivated Michael to be more social, active and simply love his new found life.

Anne is a ‘voice of reason’ throughout the movie as Michael progresses from high school to university. While coaches try their best in molding him into good football player and strategize on how he can upgrade his skills, Leigh does her best to see to it that Michael is contented and safe in his new environment and life (The Blind Side ,2009). The director of the movie does not expose the underlying reasons that inspire Anne’s generosity toward Michael Oher but makes every viewer acknowledge her extraordinary kindness who deliberately moves out of her way to help the needy.

 It is vital to note that Anne Tuohy is a well-to-do lady with a philanthropic heart. Her confidence pushes her to pursue her dreams, in whatever manner she deems fit. More so, she does not mind the opinion of other people and she is the epitome of motherhood (The Blind Side, 2009). Therefore, when she noticed Michael needs help and he had no one else, she single handedly took him in without a second thought.

            Through the movie’s main character, the storyline challenges the watcher to reconsider about the chances handed out to disadvantaged kids fashioned around discrimination. Leigh is a person the society can look up to and emulate her positive characteristics. She puts to the side any differences existing between her and Michael and provides Michael all the care he needs to reach for success through a schooling and football (The Blind Side, 2009). In addition, she upgrades Michael’s life, which in turn challenges others to be and do better. Simply put, she exhibited respect, persistence, and impartiality while handling Michael. The ability of taking in a complete stranger and giving them love and affection rarely occurs in the present world.

The selfless act helping a person from a different economic disparity proved the kindness of Anne who did not care about racial norms. The movie brings out the priceless act of empathy through Anne and replicates the fundamental element of the American dream: everyone can succeed if they put enough effort to their dreams (The Blind Side, 2009). In addition, Anne carries the movie’s main message of anti racism. Michael gets into an altercation after one of his neighboring friends abused Leigh Anne. When Leigh heard about it, she searched for Michael, who ran away after the fight transpired. Her pursuit was unsuccessful but the two reunited when Michael reached out to Leigh in a phone call. In the phone conversation, the two arranged a meeting and Anne swore she would give her full support to Michael no matter the direction he takes. This shows that Anne fully trusted Michael and was ready to give him space. Furthermore, when he settled for Mississippi University, Anne and her family respected her decision.

Personality Theory Related To Anne

The trait theory perspective is the most common personality concepts within psychology. According to trait personality theory, personality comprises of various wide-ranging qualities. A Single trait is considerably steady attribute that dictates how one will behave. Therefore, multiple traits form a personality of an individual consequently leading to solid routines and patterns. For instance, Anne is kind, generous, sincere, open-minded and fair (Landis, Hill, & Harvey, 2014). All these traits form one personality. Any of the major traits observed describe her personality and none is dominant over another. Hence, more than one character can describe her actions and categorize her as person.

The character change that Michael undergoes reflects the personality of Anne. The input of Anne in the life of Michael transforms him for the better (Landis, Hill, & Harvey, 2014). The young man changes from being a lonely sad man to a jovial man with a rejuvenated spirit. From being homeless with a hopeless future into the loving hands of a mother who took him in and gave him a home, showered him with kindness and family was something extraordinary and great from Anne and a numerous characters describe her actions and sum up her personality. Simply put, Michael turns from rags to riches when he met his ‘guardian angel’ in the face Anne.

Leigh Anne Tuohy was simply a phenomenon woman who not only gave her time and effort to seeing to it that Michael got all he needed but she ensured he became part of her own family. The wife and mother of two is tough headed was tough but inside her lay a heart of gold. During first scenes of the movie, Anne advices Michael on the changes he needs to adopt in his life, as he becomes a member of Tuohy family (Landis, Hill, & Harvey, 2014). She is ready to make him feel at home at all costs. Gradually he fits into the family setting and accepts their norms and way of life without a sense of judgement or cloud of guilt. Hence, her motherly love was a gift that kept giving as she nurtured Michael into a respectable man even though her children were younger and pursued different paths. In short, her loving nature captivates the view and motivates them to watch more keenly.

 In summary, two themes drive the plot of the movie, love, and family bonding. ‘The Blind Side’ shows that race or stereotypes should not hinder a person from reaching out and helping another. The only thing Anne and Michael share between them is love and a bond formed due to friendship. Ann noticed Michael was a needy student and immediately provided for his needs without hesitation hence exposing viewers to her genuine heart. While applying the concepts of personality theory, Anne is a woman with various personalities that dictate her behavior. When ordinary people come across abnormal situations, they finding a legal way of sorting or handling the issue is hard but not for Anne. She single handedly takes Michael in and understands his personality and past experiences. She uses her knowledge to teach and mold his behavior into a young, confident focused man with a bright future. The power of her influence materializes through Michael’s transformation and successful football career. In short, she gives Michael valuables lessons her children do not have yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

The Blind Side (2009) retrieved from: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6cjdoc

Landis, E. A., Hill, D., & Harvey, M. R. (2014). A synthesis of leadership theories and styles. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, 15(2), 97.