When it comes to building character, it seems as if the impressions and beliefs of our patriarchal society outweighs self-fulfillment. What makes In a Year of Thirteen Moons so unique from other films is that it reveals how drastically the actions of others can influence a person. The main character Erwin, later known as Elvira, is plagued by society's impression of him and the opinions others make of him based on those impressions.

While Fassbinder has deliberately altered the chronology of events in the movie, we are introduced to Erwin's sexual a

This climactic period of the movie drives Erwin to give up on his womanhood. Taking all drastic measures, he chops off his hair, throws on a suit, and runs to Irene, hoping to get her back as a lover. Irene responds by saying that "it is too late." These final confusing actions of others toward Erwin drive him to kill himself. Although this film portrays a most extreme scenario, Fassbinder succeeds in showing the impact that surrounding individuals can have on another human being.

After this initial scene, the viewer is introduced to Erwin's first partner. A man named Christoph, who is apparently abusive towards Erwin, has become upset with him because, he says, Erwin is a disgusting person. When we examine Erwin's character, it can be argued that if indeed Erwin is a "disgusting person," perhaps it is these types of insults that Christoph makes about Erwin that make Erwin "disgusting." More simply, the cause of Erwin's negative attributes may be the result of insults just like the one Christoph uses in this instance. Erwin's confidence has essentially decreased because of this constant abuse of his character. It is during this scene that Christoph leaves him, revealing for the first time how unaccepted Erwin is. It also initiates an understanding for the type of relationships that Erwin enters. In almost all of his relationships, he gives more than he receives, caring more for the relationships than any of his partners do.

Although very unusual in comparison to everyday life, In a Year of Thirteen Moons offers a sobering look into how eccentric life can be.

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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)