Throughout the movie Melvin uses heterosexual language while continually harassing his neighbor, Simon, because of the neighbor's sexual preference, homosexuality. Homophobic language perpetuates cruel images of inadequacy and marginality, which rob all sexual conformists of human dignity. Moreover, employing homophobic language "erases" gay and lesbian people by presuming, contrary to fact, that nearly everyone is heterosexual. In this situation, Melvin chooses to say several derogatory remarks regarding the neighbor's sexuality, even condemning him to a life of purgatory in hell.

The heterosexual language and self-talk Melvin is using toward Simon is intimidates Simon and makes him feel inadequate while bringing down his morale. Melvin continually tells Simon tha

The most touching and emotional relationship in the movie is the relationship between Melvin and the dog. Melvin, an obsessive-compulsive who uses a new bar of soap every time he washes his hands, is ordered by Frank to watch Simon's dog.

Toward the end of the movie Simon has discovered that he is financially broke and has nowhere to live. Simon must face the option of calling his parents for financial assistance, but Simon and his parents are on non-speaking terms. At this point, Simon has a large amount of communication-apprehension towards his parents, and the financial strain and grim future outlook, leads Simon's interpersonal communication with Melvin to change.

Throughout the movie Melvin has brief encounters with Frank that are friendly, but have no self-disclosure and high self-monitoring from Frank. Frank tends to use high levels of verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness with Melvin in order to emphasize several of his statements. By using this measure of conflict, Frank breaks down Melvin's psychological mindset and demands him to respect what Frank tells him.

Although the characters of Melvin and Frank are not continually running into each other during the length of the movie, their relationship is unique because there are no other characters in the movie with an interpersonal relationship with Melvin that is as aggressive yet confirming. Frank becomes the only from the start of the

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