Character Analysis: Rebecca Louise Bryan

Rebecca Louise Bryan, commonly known as Becky, was born on May 8, 1959, and lived in Oklahoma. Her life appeared to be quite typical at first, but it took several dramatic turns over the years. During high school, Becky met Keith Edward Bryan, who was described as a “bad boy,” while Becky was known for her intelligence. Despite their differences, they formed a romantic relationship and got married in 1978, a year after graduating from high school. They settled in the Oklahoma City area where Keith initially worked in construction before becoming a firefighter in 1980, a job that would later see him rise to the position of Fire Chief in Nichols Hills by 1991.

By the early 1980s, the couple had two sons and were active members of their local church. Their marriage was considered solid enough that they even provided premarital counseling to young couples. While Keith’s career progressed, Becky found success as a real estate agent, eventually earning more than her husband. However, over time, Becky’s behavior began to change significantly. She started drinking, smoking, and using expletives, which was a marked departure from her previously conservative lifestyle.

Despite these changes, Keith seemed unperturbed and even stated that their marriage was better than ever. However, Becky did not share this sentiment. In January 2010, she filed for divorce and moved out, only to reconcile with Keith later that year. Keith, attempting to save their marriage, became more romantic, taking her on dates and trying to rekindle their relationship.

Timeline of the Crime

On September 20, 2011, Becky called 911 at 10:07 p.m., claiming that a man had entered their home and shot her husband in the head. When the police arrived, they found Keith still alive but critically injured on the couch in the living room. He was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 6:00 a.m. the next day.

Becky recounted a story of an intruder who had entered through an open garage door, shot Keith, and then apologized to her before fleeing. She described the intruder as a young man with a “cute little face” who was “pretty nice,” making it seem as if the shooter was a disgruntled job-seeker. However, the police quickly found inconsistencies in her story.

During their investigation, they discovered a pistol, a spent cartridge case, and a rubber glove in the dryer. The bullet that killed Keith matched the pistol found, and Becky’s DNA was inside the glove. Further investigations revealed Becky’s numerous extramarital affairs and her attempts to rekindle a past affair just hours before the shooting. Becky was arrested on September 23, 2011, and was later found guilty of first-degree murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Analysis of Becky Bryan’s Behavior

Becky Bryan’s sudden and drastic change in behavior, leading to her eventual actions, can be attributed to several psychological factors. Her shift from a conservative lifestyle to one marked by promiscuity stands out as a significant factor in understanding her transformation. This change in behavior was likely driven by a combination of personality traits and underlying pathologies.

One of the key personality traits that became evident in Becky’s actions was low conscientiousness. This trait is characterized by a lack of self-discipline, organization, and a tendency towards impulsive behavior. In Becky’s case, this manifested in her disregard for marital commitments and her pursuit of immediate gratification through numerous extramarital affairs.

High extroversion also played a crucial role in Becky’s behavior. Extroverted individuals are typically outgoing, sociable, and seek excitement and stimulation. Becky’s relentless pursuit of new sexual encounters and social interactions aligns with this trait. Her behavior reflected a desire for constant stimulation and an inability to be content with her previous lifestyle.

Mid-range agreeableness was another personality trait that influenced Becky’s actions. While she exhibited some level of agreeableness in her initial commitment to her marriage, her manipulative and deceptive behavior towards her husband and affair partners indicated a lower level of this trait. She was willing to exploit others to fulfill her own desires, which is consistent with mid-range or low agreeableness.

After decades of a stable marriage, Becky sought more excitement and pleasure, leading her to engage in extramarital affairs. This behavior became increasingly reckless and out of control, resembling an addiction. The pursuit of sexual encounters dominated her focus, driving her to view her husband as an obstacle to her newfound lifestyle. This perspective ultimately culminated in her decision to murder him, believing that his removal was necessary to continue her pursuit of pleasure and excitement.

Personality Traits

1. Low Conscientiousness: Becky’s irresponsible and impulsive actions, including her numerous affairs and disregard for marital commitments, reflect low conscientiousness. This trait often manifests in a lack of self-discipline, organization, and a tendency to seek immediate gratification.
2. High Extroversion: Becky’s outgoing nature and her active pursuit of social and sexual encounters indicate high extroversion. Individuals high in extroversion often seek stimulation and excitement, which aligns with Becky’s behavior.
3. Mid-Range Agreeableness: While Becky exhibited some agreeable traits, such as her initial commitment to her marriage, her manipulative behavior towards Keith and her affair partners suggests a lower level of agreeableness, particularly in maintaining harmonious relationships.

Rebecca Bryan as Erana

Rebecca Bryan’s character closely aligns with Erana (XO, Cat, Gun), and this alignment can be explained through the core attributes of the character Erana.

These traits are not the core attributes of Erana. However, due to significant disruptions in the layer of psychopathology, psychodynamic processes damage the core. Consequently, this damaged core can produce behaviors such as decisiveness.

 

 

 

Erana’s Core Attributes

Erana is a character known for her dual nature, combining elements of charm and danger. Her symbol, the cat, and her item, the gun, are not merely superficial representations but deeply ingrained aspects of her personality.

Independence and Exploration

Erana is known for her fierce independence and relentless curiosity. This characteristic is reflected in Rebecca’s behavior, especially after she began seeking extramarital affairs. Her actions demonstrated a strong desire for autonomy and exploration beyond the confines of her marriage. Rebecca’s pursuit of new experiences and relationships, often in a reckless manner, underscores her independent spirit and her unwillingness to be tethered by traditional constraints.

Decisiveness and Risk-Taking

Erana embodies decisiveness and a willingness to take significant risks to achieve her goals. Rebecca’s decision to murder her husband was a calculated and drastic measure, showcasing her willingness to eliminate any obstacles in her path. This decisive action, although extreme, highlights her determination and capacity for bold decision-making, traits that are central to Erana’s character.

Dual Nature and Complexity

Erana’s character is marked by a dual nature, combining charm with a capacity for danger. Rebecca Bryan exhibited this duality through her ability to present herself as a loving and dedicated wife while secretly engaging in numerous affairs and ultimately committing a serious crime. This complexity, where outward appearances can be deceiving, is a core aspect of Erana. Rebecca’s charm and ability to manipulate those around her, juxtaposed with her dangerous actions, perfectly encapsulate Erana’s multifaceted personality.

Manipulation and Control

A key aspect of Erana’s character is her skill in manipulation and maintaining control over her circumstances. Rebecca demonstrated this through her manipulation of her husband and her ability to juggle multiple relationships without immediate suspicion. Her strategic approach to relationships and her ultimate plan to remove her husband from the equation indicate a high level of control and manipulation, aligning with Erana’s core attributes.

Manipulation and control indicate that there is a significant problem at the core.

Rebecca Bryan as Erana

Rebecca Bryan’s transformation and actions can be best understood through the lens of Erana’s core attributes. Her independence, curiosity, adaptability, decisiveness, and dual nature make Erana a fitting representation. Rebecca’s life was marked by a significant shift from a stable and conservative lifestyle to one driven by impulsive desires and dangerous decisions. This transition mirrors Erana’s enigmatic and multifaceted character, making the comparison apt and insightful.

Rebecca Bryan, much like Erana, was a complex individual whose actions were driven by deep-seated desires and a willingness to take extreme measures to fulfill them. Her story is a cautionary tale of how the pursuit of personal gratification and power can lead to devastating consequences, encapsulated perfectly in the character of Erana.