The Character of Monica Geller
Following the success of our Rachel Green character analysis, we’ve decided to take your minds off the literal disease pandemic that’s collapsing the world right now by continuing the stream of Friends‘ character analysis pieces. Next up — Monica Geller.
Monica the chef.
In her core, beneath all layers of the onion, Monica Geller is an artist; because artistry comes in many forms and shapes and culinary arts is certainly one of them.
She is perhaps a more rational artist; a more contained one, a more pragmatic one, more than, say, Phoebe, who is your closer to your typical ‘colors and rainbows’ archetype. But Monica remains an artist, nevertheless.
It’s interesting to dive deep into her starting point; the motivation beneath it. Interestingly, and not surprisingly, it’s Chandler. In season 2, episode 5 (The One With All the Thanksgivings), it’s revealed that the first time Monica got exposed to the idea of becoming a chef was after Chandler jokingly telling her so.
But that’s not really it, is it?
Really, it’s a subconscious fight thing — Monica was overweight when she was younger. And it did affect her very much, she owned up to it, sure, as we can see from flashback episodes, but it was also definitely an emotional burden to carry. So she decided not only to shred the burden – both literally and mentally – but rule control over it completely. She becomes a chef — manipulates food, overpowers it, takes what used to be against her and uses it to her advantage.
And she needs success. Monica’s parents were always disapproving of her; always judging her, always putting her brother above her – which can put yet another heavy weight on any young adult.
So Monica has the desire, the need, to prove herself. She needs to be better, she needs to be the best, not only in her career, but in life, too. Because she needs to prove to her parents, but mostly, to herself, that she has high worth.
This is evident not only through Monica’s strive to success professionally, but through who she is as a person, as well. She is extremely competitive; she always wants to better herself; she is a perfectionist; she is a control freak — because if she controls everything then everything can be perfect and if everything is perfect — it’s proof she is as close to perfect as possible.
And, of course, Chandler.
There is no Chandler without Monica and there is no Monica without Chandler. Someone she truly loves, someone who helps her, values her, unconditionally, forever, with beauty and complete support. Through this, Friends once again lays out one of their core themes — the only truely pure thing, the only easy and uncomplicated thing — is love.
In the end, Monica and Chandler start a family. Because Monica was always the mother of the group — always caring for everyone, always kind, always rational. Always the person to turn to when everything seems hopeless.
Monica Geller —
An artist. Someone who always strives for success. Someone who always tries to be the best; to prove herself to other and to herself; a control freak because she needs to be; someone who has love. And what else do you need, really?
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