Basic Emotions

Basic Emotions. Looking at the categories of basic emotions, describe a time when your character felt one of the basic emotions. Why did your character experience this emotion and what purpose could be served by feeling this emotion?



              The basic emotion I want to explore in relation to my character is shame.  Shame is one of the most prominent emotions that Vivi experiences as an older woman.  After Vivi's nervous collapse during which she brutally attacks her own children and is thus involuntary Baker acted, she has little memory of the experience itself.  While she is institutionalized, her life long friends come to visit her nearly every day.  Vivi does not talk about the incident except once, during which she asks her dear friend, Caro, to describe every mark that Vivi put on her children.  Years later, Caro explains to Vivi's daughter, Sidda, that Vivi was so wrought with shame and guilt after that she never trusted herself with her own children again.  Caro and Vivi's other friends were sworn to secrecy by Vivi in out of Vivi's shame.  (Caro breaking this promise at this point in the story).  I believe that in this instance, the shame of hurting her own children served the purpose of protecting Vivi's children from herself.
              One of the main driving forces for the main plot is Vivi trying to keep Sidda from knowing the truth while her friends are trying it to light.  Vivi is deeply ashamed of her past and partly wishes to preserve her own pride as well.  Even when she comes to terms with the fact that her daughter must know the truth, she is not strong enough to tell the whole truth to Sidda.  In this instance, I think that the purpose of experiencing shame is humbling experience that leads to liberation and closure for both Vivi and Sidda, which allows them to begin repairing their relationship.