hattifnatti - Tumblr blog

hattifnatti · 2 years

Text

Autistic and ADHD analysis of Edward “Blackbeard” Teach from “Our Flag Means Death” - by an autistic ADHD fan of OFMD with too much time on their hands

Let’s go!

Once again, this analysis will be done using the diagnostic criteria from @shitborderlinesdo.

ADHD

Section One (1) - Inattention

Must check six (6) or more of the following:

• I have a hard time paying attention to specific details, which often leads to careless mistakes being made in work or school activities ✅

In Episode 4, Ed creates this whole plan to escape a Spanish ship. A plan that would only work if enacted on September second (2nd). While Edward believes it is the second (2nd), his first mate Izzy has to remind him “It’s the first (1st), boss.” This causes his entire grand escape plan to crumble.

• I have difficulty paying attention ✅

When Ed and his crew first board The Revenge, Ed is supposed to be focusing on what to do with the crew of The Revenge, but he is more interested in looking at the little knickknacks around the ship, and is fascinated by the crew of the ship (“Izzy! Look, they have a bird guy!”).

• I sometimes have trouble listening to people when they speak to me ✅

After swapping outfits with his newfound friend, Stede Bonnet, Izzy brings Ed aside to talk to him. Nothing that Izzy says in that scene is truly comprehended by Ed, because he is so distracted by his fascination with Stede. A similar thing occurs in episode five (5), when Frenchie tells him he found an invitation to an aristocrat party on a ship nearby.

• I have a hard time following directions, or I’ll start a task only to get sidetracked and am unable to finish it ✅

After boarding The Revenge, Izzy tells Ed that he needs to figure out their next move. While Izzy is doing this, Ed is getting distracted by all of Stede’s knickknacks around the ship (“It’s like a miniature version of this ship!”), much to Izzy’s frustration.

• I have difficulty organizing and fail to meet deadlines

• I tend to avoid things which require sustained mental effort ✅

When Ed is not being Captain Blackbeard, his relaxation activities are things that can be done without putting too much mental energy into them (drinking, the turtle vs crab fight, he even seemed to genuinely enjoy the mindless monotony of folding socks in episode nine (9).). This is not to say that Ed is not an intelligent person, as he is a brilliant tactician, and you certainly don’t become the most fearsome pirate on the high seas without having some form of incredible intelligence. However, I do think these sorts of tasks are draining for Edward. When Stede—in Blackbeard’s clothes—is being questioned by Izzy in episode four (4) about how to get the Spanish ship away from them, Stede replies he is unsure and looks to Ed for help. Ed shrugs and wearily says something along the lines of, “You want to be Blackbeard? This is what it’s like.”

• I am always losing important things

• I am easily distracted ✅

“Calico Jaaaaack!!” Episode 8 is just,, pure ADHD chaos from Ed. He’s also often distracted by things that interest him, like when Frenchie mentions that they’ve been invited to “Some hoitey-toitey party for fancy people.” Ed is fascinated to learn how aristocrats live, and everything that Stede says in that scene is just in one of Ed’s ears and out the other.

• I am incredibly forgetful ✅

Forgetting it was a leap year. Using escargot tongs to eat a prawn.

Section Two (2) - Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Must check six (6) or more of the following:

• I fidget a lot, or simply can’t keep still ✅

Ed moves around the ship constantly. He walks and talks, and stims with the piece of silk he carries.

• I find myself leaving my seat often, even when I’m expected to remain seated

• I am incredibly restless ✅

Ed is constantly on the move. He’s going from adventure to adventure all the time, and when he is not going from one source of dopamine to the next—when he is bored—his emotions become quite unstable. After boarding The Revenge and Izzy asks him what he wants to do, Ed says something along the lines of, “I don’t know…It’s all so fucking boring…I haven’t died yet, have I?”

• I am unable to engage in activities quietly ✅

Even when eating dining with aristocrats, Ed is muttering to himself, instructing himself on what to do. He has a constant dialogue when he, Stede and Lucius are in St. Augustine following Stede’s “treasure map.” Ed has commentary on everything, no matter the situation.

• I am often “on the go” and don’t like to remain in one place for too long ✅

Re: I am incredibly restless.

• I talk excessively ✅

Ed talks a lot, especially when he’s excited. Often involves a lot of swearing. That’s just, like, textbook ADHD here.

• I often blurt out answers to questions before the person is even finished asking the question ✅

Stede and he discussing who should run the ship, (“Co-captains?”). And “We need to become a lighthouse!” Both great moments of ND4ND communication, if you ask me.

• I have difficulty waiting in line for things

• I have trouble waiting my turn in conversations and often interrupt others ✅

Mostly Izzy. Ed can follow his train of thought pretty quickly and often interrupts him because of this.

Section Four (4)

Common symptoms and behaviors which are not required for diagnosis

(I will only be including traits that fit Edward’s behavior, as Section Four (4) is a long list)

• I am easily frustrated ✅

This definitely applies to Ed, especially with himself. He gets incredibly frustrated when he makes small mistakes or oversights (September first (1st), etc.). He also gets frustrated at people who cannot or do not follow his train of thought, most often First Mate Izzy Hands.

• Bullet points and small paragraphs are a blessing to me. I hate seeing really large paragraphs ✅

When he and Stede have to sign the Act of Grace, Ed comments about the long paragraphs, groaning in frustration. (To be fair, Ed canonically cannot read, but he does comment about the paragraph size as well).

Now for the second half of this character examination: Autism!

Autism

Section One (1)

Must check all of the following

• I have trouble communicating with others ✅

This mainly occurs with Ed’s interactions with neurotypical people, so I will be using his interactions at the aristocrat party as my example. Ed doesn’t understand that it is socially unacceptable to talk about maiming people in high society circles (Stede has to point it out to him). Edward also struggles with passive aggression (“His words sounded nice, but they hurt.”) until Stede explained what it was.

• I feel I have odd social habits, such as an inability to participate in normal back-and-forth conversation, reduced sharing of interests and emotions, and/or a failure to initiate or respond to social interactions ✅

As previously established, Edward talks a lot. But, at the same time, sometimes he does not talk at all. If he has nothing to add to a conversation, he does not say anything (ex: the aristocratic party when they’re all chit-chatting before the meal). He is an extrovert, but he does not talk about his feelings or interests to most people—until Stede.

• I’m bad at picking up on nonverbal forms of communication, such as body language, gestures, and facial expressions ✅

I keep using the aristocrat party as an example, but it’s good for this analysis so shhh (/lh /nbh). He has trouble understanding when the aristocrats are making fun of him using passive aggression, until he remembers what Stede had said earlier that day. I think if he had never been told about passive aggression, Ed would not have noticed that they were being rude. I think Ed also has a hard time reading Stede for signs that he could be romantically interested in him, because it takes Lucius pointing out how painfully Stede is in love with Edward for him to notice that maybe, just maybe, his feelings could be reciprocated.

• My symptoms have caused distress for me in social, occupational, and/or other areas of functioning ✅

Ed gets very emotional and distressed during his interactions at the aristocrat party. He gets overstimulated, fidgety, and overwhelmed, eventually leading him to verbally lash out at the partygoers before going to Stede to ask to leave.

• My symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder, substance use, or a medical condition ✅

He has comorbid ADHD, but his autistic traits cannot be ignored.

Section Two (2)

Must check two or more of the following:

• I use repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech when communicating with others

• I prefer sameness, and I rely on routines

• When I become interested in something, I experience it intensely and can become very attached and focused ✅

Stede!! His interest in Stede at the beginning of the series (and during the entirety of it, honestly) is very focused and enamored. He’s also fascinated with fashion and aristocrat culture.

• I am hypersensitive to the world around me ✅

Ed wears the same outfit every day. He is sensitive to the opinions of others and the feelings of those around him.

Section Three (3)

Common symptoms and behaviors (not required for diagnosis)

(I will only be listing those that ally to Ed, as Section Three (3) is a long list of behaviors.)

• I have difficulty opening up to others and sharing my emotions ✅

The first person Ed opens up to about his feelings is Stede. He is tearful, and is barely able to get a word out at times. Most of the conversation in the bathtub, Ed is curled over himself protectively.

• Sometimes I shut down and just don’t want to speak at all ✅

After Edward has returned to the ship in Episode Ten (10), he creates a blanket fort which he promptly shields himself in. Lucius finds him curled up and sad, and most of Ed’s responses are short. Lucius interprets his emotions fairly easily, which makes the interaction easier on Ed, who spends most of it listening rather than speaking.

• I am easily overwhelmed when there are too many people ✅

Aristocrat party overstimulation.

TL;DR: Edward “Blackbeard” Teach is an autistic ADHD icon and there is nothing you can do about it /hj /nm

If you are still here, thank you for staying until the end!! I hope you enjoyed. Until next time!!

510 notes · View notes