Running with Scissors (2006) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set primarily in New York City, which serves as both a backdrop for Augusten's journey and a symbol of hope and opportunity. The city's vibrant cultural landscape represents the possibilities that await someone striving for a better life, contrasting sharply with the chaos of his home life.

• setting
• new york city
• location
• backdrop

The film is set in the late 20th century, a period marked by significant cultural shifts and growing emphasis on personal expression and mental health awareness. This era saw the emergence of diverse voices in literature and art, reflecting the complexities of individual experiences that Augusten himself grapples with.

• time period
• era
• late 20th century
• 1990s

The film explores three major themes: family dysfunction, self-discovery, and exploitation. Family dysfunction is depicted through Deirdre's erratic behavior and Norman's inaction, creating a chaotic environment that shapes Augusten's development. Self-discovery follows Augusten as he navigates his emerging sexuality and aspirations as a writer. Exploitation emerges through Dr. Finch's manipulative relationship with Deirdre.

• themes
• family dysfunction
• self-discovery
• exploitation
• identity

Augusten Burroughs is the protagonist, a perceptive and sensitive teenager caught in the tumult of his dysfunctional family. His resilience and quest for identity drive the narrative as he seeks independence amidst chaos, facing the challenges of teenage life intertwined with complex family dynamics.

• augusten burroughs
• protagonist
• main character
• teenager

Deirdre Burroughs is Augusten's mother, a frustrated poet whose volatile emotional state creates a toxic atmosphere for her son. Her mood swings and erratic behavior stem from her inner struggles, making her a deeply flawed but poignant character whose decisions directly impact Augusten's life trajectory.

• deirdre
• mother
• poet
• mental illness

Dr. Finch is the unconventional psychiatrist who takes Augusten into his care when Deirdre can no longer manage. His eccentric nature and manipulative tendencies add complexity to the narrative, as he provides both warmth and danger, a figure who appears to help but harbors his own agenda, exploiting Deirdre's fragile mental state.

• dr finch
• psychiatrist
• finch household
• caretaker

Augusten enters Dr. Finch's chaotic and unconventional household, filled with eccentric personalities and unusual behavior. The Finch home becomes a bizarre new world where Augusten must navigate eccentric characters, including Dr. Finch's daughter Natalie and adopted son Neil, while confronting the challenges of family, identity, and growing up in a deeply unconventional environment.

• finch household
• home
• family
• unconventional

Neil Bookman is Dr. Finch's adopted son who grapples with his own vulnerabilities. He develops a complicated relationship with Augusten, highlighting the challenges of love and understanding amidst personal struggles. Their connection is particularly complex due to the age difference affecting their dynamic.

• neil bookman
• relationship
• adopted son
• connection

Natalie is Dr. Finch's daughter who forms a connection with Augusten. Her openness about her father's household and understanding of Augusten's struggles position her as a confidante during his tumultuous journey, offering him support and insight into the unusual world he now inhabits.

• natalie
• finch daughter
• confidante
• support

The film explores exploitation through the relationship between Dr. Finch and Deirdre, where Finch takes advantage of her fragile mental state for personal gain. This dynamic illustrates the darker aspects of human interactions, showing how those in positions of trust can manipulate vulnerable individuals.

• exploitation
• manipulation
• dr finch
• deirdre
• mental health

Augusten's journey represents a profound self-discovery as he navigates his emerging sexuality and aspirations as a writer while living with the Finches. His experiences challenge him to confront his identity and ultimately seek a path that aligns with his true self, despite the chaos surrounding him.

• self discovery
• identity
• sexuality
• writer
• growth

Norman Burroughs is Augusten's father, embodying the role of an enabler who fails to protect his son from Deirdre's outbursts. Weighed down by his own inner demons, his character illustrates the devastating impact of emotional neglect on family structures and child development.

• norman
• father
• enabler
• neglect