“We have to recognize that there
cannot be relationships unless there is
commitment, unless there is loyalty,
unless there is love, patience, persistence.”
Cornel West, Breaking Bread: Insurgent Black Intellectual Life
Many times when one perceives an individual as being loyal, the person is conceptualized to possess distinctive attributes. Being faithful to relationships and causes and remaining devoted despite circumstances commonly classifies loyal qualities. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, loyal is when one is capable of “giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.” It is believed that loyal individuals will unconditionally provide support and their presence will be unwavering. As a result, being a staunch supporter of self or others is typically understood as a positive personality characteristic. However, when one is loyal, one may struggle to consider new information, adjust one’s thoughts and beliefs, and make changes to one’s behaviors due to the commitment to a specific individual or cause. In response, the loyal one may present as rigid and unable to be flexible in thought, hindering one’s ability to adjust appropriately when needed. Sebastian, performed by Ryan Gosling, within the film La La Land,demonstrated the positive and negative impact loyalty can have and how these attributes may manifest in one’s life based upon the ability to approach life circumstances with pliability.
Sebastian was introduced as a musician committed to his craft. He identified himself as a “serious musician,” defined as an individual who appreciated and supported the traditional form of jazz. Despite being keenly aware that in current society there exist a small population who appreciate the traditional work, Sebastian’s excitement to traditional jazz music was steadfast. He described to his girlfriend Mia, acted by Emma Stone, “…and it’s dying, it’s dying Mia…but not on my watch.” His girlfriend inquired, “What are you going to do?” Sebastian informed that he desired to open his own club where, “We play whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want; as long as it’s pure jazz.” Inspired by Sebastian’s passion, Mia responded positively to him at the onset of dating. She admitted that his commitment to the traditional art form was instrumental in altering her negative view of jazz music, where she began to find appreciation for the craft. At times, Sebastian’s allegiance was a vehicle that had the power to influence and welcome others to experience jazz through his loyal lens.
Yet, Sebastian struggled financially and was in need of regular paying work. Though hired to perform specific music (i.e. holiday titles, recent hits, modern jazz), he reluctantly acquiesced in an effort to remain employed. On these occasions when he acceded to the terms of arrangements created with business owners and clients to perform the music of their choice, Sebastian frequently experienced challenges remaining within the boundaries outlined. The detours from the music selections tended to direct him to adding traditional jazz into his performances and sabotaging opportunities to remain employed. In these instances, Sebastian’s dedication and loyalty to classic jazz caused him to be uncompromising as a professional, unrelenting to his passion, and unable to experience positive emotion when performing outside of his personal desires. Elshtain, et al. (2013) cited, “loyalty is entangled with faithfulness, endurance, selflessness, generosity, the keeping of promises” (p. 28). Sebastian’s loyalty possessed faithfulness, endurance, and promises kept; yet lacked a generosity and selflessness that would allow others to find his loyalty endearing. Consequently, on several occasions, individuals referred to him as a “pain in the ass” to work with. His rigidity also presented with additional repercussions; specifically, his inability to remain employed negatively impacted his ability to sustain his livelihood and build necessary capital to be able to actualize his personal dreams of owning a jazz club.
Furthermore, often Sebastian displayed challenges viewing situations globally and approached life events in a myopic manner. Sebastian’s faithful dedication to jazz guided his perception of most situations that he encountered. Additionally, he frequently made life decisions based upon other’s appreciation and understanding of jazz music. For example, Sebastian was provided the opportunity to be introduced to a young lady by his sister, Laura, performed by Rosemarie DeWitt. He inquired whether the female liked jazz, anticipating that he might be misunderstood by the individual. When his sister responded that she doubted that she would be interested, Sebastian genuinely inquired, “Then what are we going to talk about?” His response suggested that when jazz was not of interest and a part of moments in his life, there lacked alternative topics worthy of discussion and exploration that might foster a connection between himself and others.
After living with such loyalty and lacking positive gains, his colleague and friend, Keith, acted by John Legend, asked Sebastian to consider performing modern music with a jazz component.
KEITH: I know, it’s different. You want to save jazz.
How gonna save jazz if no one is listening? Jazz is dying because of people like you. You playing to 90-year-olds at the Lighthouse. Where are the kids? Where are the young people? You are so obsessed with Kenny Clark and Thelonious Monk; these guys were revolutionists. How are you gonna be revolutionary if you are such a traditionalist?
Sebastian began to accept that his inflexibility resulted in financial strain and difficulty maintaining steady employment. His living environment coupled with the feeling of being inadequate to provide for his girlfriend and present as a success were further shortcomings experienced by his loyalty and inflexibility. Because performing traditional jazz lacked lucrative options for him, he decided to pursue the opportunity to engage with a band that had a promising financial and successful future. He believed that this job opportunity would yield profits that had the potential to support his dreams of owning a jazz club. Sebastian was aware that the opportunity to perform with the band required compromises of him. In accepting, he would have to agree to minimize his faithfulness to traditional jazz and activate suppressing his desire to play the classics. Further, he would be required to become increasingly selfless and act in the interest of the band, rather than indulge in his personal desires. Doing so would translate to reducing the urge to spontaneously engage in classic jazz. Once beginning to play and experience success, Sebastian appeared committed to the music the band performed. Sebastian’s conscious choice to pursue this venture provided him with newfound financial security, however at the sacrifice of pursuing his personal dreams.
At this time, Sebastian was conflicted yet conscious of his options and sacrifices. Does he continue to create music with a successful band and place his dreams of owning a jazz club further on hold, or continue to pursue his dreams and struggle financially? Sebastian was able to articulate that he previously placed effort in pursing the latter option to no avail. He was left holding a decision to make for himself: remain committed to his loyalty and invest in reaching his goals or pursue a level of financial stability and predictability within his life. What shall Sebastian to do?
To read more, find La La Land, Chapter 6 in Best Psychology in Film….
Elshtain, J.B. (2013). On Loyalty: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public. Life. A Monthly Journal, 235, 27-31.
Merriam-Webster, n.d. (2017). Loyal.Merriam-Webster.com.Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loyal.
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