Narrative Criticism: Parenthood

 Parenthood, one of the few television shows that has chosen to focus on Autism. During a crucial episode, the TV family deals with the diagnosis of Autism, as well as the decision to keep Max (child with autism) in the mainstream school system or move him to a charter school that is specifically for children with autism. 

For the purposes of this paper, I will focus on the storyline mentioned above.

            Dealing with the diagnosis and the major decisions that follow, (i.e. charter or mainstream school system) is an endeavor that all families that apart of the autistic realm must face. Which brings me to the point of this paper, using the analysis of narrative criticism; I will analyze the fidelity and probability of Parenthood. As I analyze this piece, I will explain autism and why the character of Max as been diagnosed with the disease of Aspersers. Followed by why it is so important to decide if a child must be placed in a charter school, or if staying mainstream is best. These decisions will uncover the kernel and satellite events of this artifact. Uncovering these events will help determine whom this series is meant for (second and third persona). Finally, to conclude this analysis I will explain the roots of this argument, which will help define if Parenthood has the narrative fidelity and probability to continue to claim the “realness” it has been followed for.

As one of the first series to accurately portray the life of a family handling autism, or more specifically aspersers, the show has quickly gained a positive viewer community, including parents raising an autistic child. This is most definitely a positive on the analysis of fidelity. I say this because these issues being put on the show can be tough, which means they should be handled delicately and correctly. Max Burkholder plays the role of Max Braverman. Burkholder does not have asperger, but the emotion brought to the screen, would make a person think otherwise. The actors who play the roles of parents to Max Braverman, (Monica Potter and Peter Krause), as well as Burkholder meet with a psychologist, and discuss each scene. These sessions are to discuss situations and how a child with autism would react. Since people with this diagnosis are affected differently, it is important to have “real life” moments discussed with someone who has lived through them. Creator and writer, Jason Katims also sits in on these meetings. As a parent of a child with aspergers, it is pivotal that these scenes mirror real life. Katims works hard to ensure the authenticity of each storyline. “While not all parents are dealing with autism or Asperger’s, what I do find is all parents are dealing with something with their kids,” says Jason Katims, spectrum. (Diament, 2010)

It is obvious that the kernel event of the episode is dealing with the diagnosis of autism and how the Braverman family handles it as a whole, as well as individually. To correctly execute this analysis, it is crucial to understand what it is Max Braverman is going through. It should be noted that prior to his diagnosis, Max was considered gifted with a lack of a few social skills. His parents sensed something was off, but never considered this disease. During this episode, Max refuses to take off his Halloween (pirate) costume. While at school, a member of his class makes a remark that causes Max to have an outburst that is almost impossible to calm down. This sparks the need for a meeting with the school psychologist and principal. It is during the meeting that the school recommends Max be tested for autism. Following the meeting, Adam and Kristine (Max’s parents) find the best autism doctor in town, who meets with Max and later diagnosis’s the child with aspergers. Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. More specifically, aspergers is the highest functioning form of autism, but characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests (cteonline.com, 2012). The definition I just gave, coincides with the emotional scene that follows the diagnosis, Max goes to school and takes a test, while taking the test, he asks if the bubbles in the fish aquarium could be turned down. He soon becomes so worked up that he stands up, walks over to the aquarium and pushes it over, causing it to shatter and then fish to die. After this incident, Max is expelled. Here is where the focus of causation can be distinguished. I believe it is a human causation (Max) that is triggered by events in nature (aspergers) that cause him to react this way.

            During their first meeting with the doctor, it was suggested to place Max into a charter school that is more suitable for children with autism because they are in a controlled environment surrounded by professionals who have the tools to better accommodate them. This is where the satellite events come into play and the family must decide if Max should continue in the mainstream school system or transfer to a charter school. During these previous scenes mentioned, I believe that the second and third personas are revealed as well as the second persona being the families within the autistic community that can afford the medical care needed, and the third persona being those families in the community that cannot afford the assistance that is needed. As the personas are identified, it should be obvious that the narrative probability is very high. These scenes, as I have mentioned before come from real life instances that are taken to the script. However, for this analysis, I believe that I should point out that each of these situations I have touched on are presented and resolved during the course of one, maybe two episodes. According to Autism.com, any parent knows that has a child with Aspergers or Autism knows it can take many months if not years to firstly find the right school (which could be far from home), be placed on the waiting list and finally, if you are lucky, receive a placement. (Autism.com, 2010)

I believe that the audience involvement is very strong within the autistic community. As Katims stated previously, “everyone is dealing with something”, this broadens the involvement to the vast majority of viewers. Characters develop and grow in real time (linear), which contributes to the audience involvement.

Throughout the analysis it has become apparent that there is very little evidence to prove this rhetoric unsuccessful. To summarize the success of this rhetoric, I believe that the linear temporal relations help the audience understand and better connect with each character. Adding to this, the theme presented, “American Dream” but as it is shaken by the diagnosis it creates an empathetic response that allows the struggles of a seemingly perfect family to surface. There is one negative point that could jolt the success of this rhetoric; the issues are placed on a “fast forward” track that allows issues to be resolved in one or two episodes. In reality, the issues that the Bravermans deal with take as long as a couple years to resolve. The pace of the show is to keep the audiences intrigued, but it decreases the probability of the series.

Lastly, the successful rhetoric of Parenthood most definitely conforms to popular belief. The show has been accepted and praised by those within the autistic community, as well as parents apart of middle class America. (Hubpages.com, 2010). I believe that based on the evidence that I have found; this show has the correct “recipe” to continue to be successful, as well as respected.