Psychographic Analyzation

Psychography – based on an individuals psychological charateristics; attributtes relating to personality, values, attitudes, interests or lifestyles.

After reading Moss’s paper on the  film, Raising Arizona, i do agree that this is a psychographic film.

The whole film is based on the present lifestyle of an individual and the desire to change the way one lives. For example, Hi (as you already know this) is a man in this struggle between commiting crimes and becoming a family man. In this struggle, Hi envisions himself growing up and raising a family with the wife, Ed, and leaving his past of petty crime and misfortune.

Hi, i believe, is dealing with psychoactive shcizophrenia. Meaning he has a split personality affecting the mind or the menatl process. During the film, there is a bounty hunter by the name of Leonard Smalls which actually portrays the battle between Hi(the good side) and Leonard (the outlaw, do what you want side).

Leonard sees this oppurtunity to make money on Mr. Arizona’s problem and presents Arizona with a price to get his baby. Since Arizona was in Hi’s dream this allows Smalls to feel as though he can interact with the man. He negotiates a price, like the outlaw would, trying to make a few bucks on a mishap to a family. It is almost like Hi is in a battle with himself. To do good or to go on—- in and out of prison that is.

In one of the closing scenes, Smalls snatches up Jr., Hi distracts as Ed grabs baby and Hi pulls the pin on one of the grenades on Smalls’ jacket followed by him blowing into a thousand outlaw pieces. At that moment in time, Nathan Jr. is returned to his family by Ed and Hi. Knowing that doing good starts with returning what was stolen. Hi then swears to Ed he is a changed men.

So basically, Hi exterminates his outlaw-don’t give a shit attitude(leonard) and in return gets his good side back. Now he can grow up on having a normal life until his next schzioprhrenic dilemma arises.