The Sixth Sense

Representation of the child in the film

The Sixth Sense (1999) is a supernatural thriller
directed by M. Night Shyamalan, which revolves
around a young boy, Cole Sear, played by Haley Joel
Osment. The film explores Cole's ability to
communicate with spirits and his journey to
understand and accept his gift with the help of a child
psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe, portrayed by
Bruce Willis.
This film revolves around the child character who is
suffering socially because of his gift to see dead people or in other words
“Spirits”. For example the opening seen shows how the child runs to his school
in order to avoid any type of interaction with people or to avoid bullying. In an
another schene Cole is subjected to a humiliating prank by his classmates, who
steal his clothes and leave him naked in the boys' locker room. This incident
further highlights the social isolation and bullying that Cole experiences on a
daily basis. These incidents demonstrate how Cole's social suffering is manifested
in various ways, including isolation, bullying, and exclusion. The film does an
excellent job of portraying the challenges that children like Cole face in their daily
lives and the impact that these experiences can have on their mental health and
well-being. He is portrayed as a sensitive and introverted child who carries a
heavy burden. However , through his interactions with the phycologist , the
audience witnesses Cole’s resilience and courage in confronting his fear and
helping the restless spirits find peace .
The cultural issues faced by the child
There are several cultural issues faced by the
child some of them are
1. Children are often expected to share
their problems with their parents or
friends but in Cole’s situation his father
was already died his mother was not
available to support him because she is
sole earner and have to look after both
the house and Chole. Due to his rare gift Chole is not able to be
 friend with anyone this left his excluded from society as a result
he gets isolated.
2. Fear of disbelief is another issue because if for a movement we
accept that Cole talks to his mother would his mother take Cole
seriously. In our modern society issues like ghosts and afterlife is
too controversial. Now we can assume the reaction of his mother.
Either his mother will not take the matter seriously and let it go
as a child imagination.
A sociological analysis of the child’s profile
From a sociological perspective, Cole's profile
is complex and multifaceted. He is a white,
male, working-class child who is struggling to
navigate the challenges of growing up in a
society that often stigmatizes and marginalizes
those who are different. Cole's experiences
with the supernatural further complicate his
identity and social position, as he is forced to
reconcile his gift with the cultural norms and expectations that govern his life.
His ability to see ghosts sets him apart from his peers and exposes him to
experiences and challenges that most children his age don't face. This isolation
can affect his sense of belonging and self-esteem, as seen in his struggles with
anxiety and fear of being labeled as "weird." However, Cole also demonstrates
resilience and adaptability, finding ways to cope with his abilities and ultimately
using them to help others. His relationship with Dr. Crowe serves as a form of
social support and mentorship, highlighting the importance of positive adult
influences in a child's life.
A comparison
Cole's ability to see the dead affects his mental health, causing
him to experience anxiety, fear, and trauma. This is not a
problem that a "normal" child would face, and it highlights the
unique challenges that Cole must overcome. Cole's family
situation is also different from that of a "normal" child. His
mother is a single parent who is struggling to make ends meet,
and his father is absent from his life. This lack of a stable
family structure can have a significant impact on a child's
development and well-being. Cole's cultural background is
also different from that of a "normal" child. He is portrayed as coming from a
working-class family, which can impact his access to resources and opportunities.
This is not a problem that a "normal" child from a more privileged background
would face. Cole's experiences with the supernatural further complicate his
identity and social position. He is unable to share his experiences with anyone
and is perceived as strange and different by those around him. This is not a
problem that a "normal" child would face
Suggested changes as a director
As a hypothetical director, I would suggest a few changes to further enhance the
representation of Cole's character and the exploration of the cultural and
sociological issues that he faces.
Firstly, I would consider adding more
explicit references to Cole's cultural
background and the challenges that he faces
as a working-class child. This could include
exploring the impact of poverty, lack of
access to resources, and the pressure to
conform on Cole's experiences and identity.
Secondly, I would consider expanding the
exploration of Cole's emotional journey and
the impact of his experiences on his mental health. This could include adding
more scenes that depict Cole's struggles with anxiety, depression, and trauma, and
the ways in which he seeks to cope with these challenges.
Expanded exploration of the supernatural world : While the film effectively
creates a sense of mystery and suspense around Cole's abilities, delving further
into the mythology of the supernatural world he inhabits could enhance the film's
depth and intrigue.
In conclusion, The Sixth Sense is a powerful and thought-provoking film that
explores the experiences of a child protagonist in a nuanced and compelling way.
Through its exploration of Cole's character, the film sheds light on the cultural
and sociological issues that affect children from working-class backgrounds and
those who are different. As a hypothetical director, I would suggest adding more
explicit references to Cole's cultural background, expanding the exploration of
his emotional journey, and adding more diversity to the cast and crew to further
enhance the film's representation and exploration of these issues.