Looking at Remember Me - Tyler's Internal and External Conflicts

This article takes a look at some of the additional conflicts that Tyler is dealing with.

All the thanks goes to Mils1234, Nautiluswirl, Tedracat, AZ, Calendos, VAgirl and everyone else who took part in the discussions for these fabulous insights into the artwork and the significance.


TYLER'S INTERNAL/EXTERNAL CONFLICTS:




Given the pummeling Tyler gave the guy in the alleyway, we know that he's capable of fighting the good fight yet he offered little resistance to Neil in the apartment. Why? Is Tyler self destructive enough to let asphyxiation take him as it did Michael?

One explanation may be that Tyler did initially resist, but buckled because he knew that what he did to Ally was horrible and he deserved what Neil was doing to him.

I think Tyler actually intentionally provokes Neil Craig into beating him up due to guilt. Tyler, as evidenced by his willingness to defend (the guys in the street, his sister, Ally) has a strong sense of justice. In doing what he did to Ally, he went against his own moral code, thus, in his mind, he should be punished. That's why the fight was the breaking point for him and he confessed to Ally immediately afterward. And as we know, he also faces anger and guilt (as many family and friends of suicide victims experience) from Michael's death, which compounds the situation. Tyler and Neil Craig are actually a lot alike.


Just before the alleyway ruckus, one hears a woman's ghost-like voice call out "Michael ... Michael... " which summons Tyler into action to prevent working class lads from being beaten down by someone with more recalling his brother's situation with his father; the lingering guilt - maybe Tyler could have prevented his brother's suicide if he did something, and anger spurs him into reacting now.

I love how the fight scene was done with the disembodied "Michael!" Not only did it distract Tyler, but it also showed how little he is existing in the present (as Aiden does) and how much in his own thoughts/emotions. So well done.

And of course the fact that the two guys coming out of the building that got beaten up were musicians echos Michael as well. So in a way, sure, he was reacting with Michael in mind.