NAUFALLY, AMIRA ATHAYA (2026) INDIVIDUALISM AS SEEN IN ELISA ESPOSITO IN THE SHAPE OF WATER (2017): A STUDY OF EMERSON’S CONCEPT OF SELF-RELIANCE. Undergraduate thesis, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya.

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Abstract

Individualism is one of the important values in American society, emphasizing
freedom of thought, independent judgment, and personal responsibility. The Shape
of Water (2017) is a movie that portrays individualism through the character of Elisa
Esposito. This study aims to examine how Elisa’s self-trust reflects individualism
and the challenges she faces in maintaining her individualism. The findings show
that Elisa is portrayed as a compassionate, courageous, determined, and self-reliant
character. Her self-trust is reflected through her ability to trust her own judgment
and develop her own understanding of the Amphibian Man rather than following
the judgments of others. Her individualism is also shown through her resistance to
institutional authority and her determination to protect the creature. However, Elisa
faces challenges such as institutional pressure, threats from the antagonist, and the
personal risks of her choices. Despite these challenges, she remains faithful to her
convictions and accepts the consequences of her actions. This study concludes that
individualism in The Shape of Water (2017) is portrayed through self-trust,
resistance, and the courage to remain faithful to personal convictions despite
external pressure.
Keywords: individualism, self-reliance, self-trust, resistance

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