Disability as a social construct in Levinson’s Rain Man

Abstract

This thesis analyses Raymond Babbit’s disease in Levinson’s movie Rain Man as a social construct and a form of difference. My argument, here, is that difference and stigma are purely a social construct rather than an innate quality which is created on the basis of differences prevalent in society. Raymond’s idiosyncrasies are more the result of loneliness, exile and lack of nurtures rather than his disease. He is the patient of autism which has different traits that makes him different in the majority. These differences are not only the cause of his exile and exploitation but socially constructed norms and stereotypes are more responsible for Raymond’s identity crisis. Raymond Babbit, after being in relation with his younger brother Charlie has come into some kind of understanding to the social orders and emotional status of himself. But he was institutionalized in the beginning also and to the end he again is confined to the care house. This research pokes into the so called normal norms and advocated the rights of disables.