Doppelgangers

Definition

Doppelgangers are typically described as ghostly doubles or look-alikes of a person, often symbolizing a split in identity or the uncanny aspects of the self. This concept evokes feelings of unease and confrontation with one’s own identity, drawing attention to the duality that exists within human nature. They are commonly found in literature and folklore, serving as manifestations of inner turmoil, psychological conflict, or the supernatural.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Doppelgangers often represent the internal struggle of characters, highlighting themes of duality and self-exploration in various literary works.
2. In many stories, encountering a doppelganger serves as an omen or foreshadowing event, indicating impending doom or a significant change in the character's life.
3. The concept of the doppelganger is closely linked to ideas of identity and existence, often prompting characters to confront their fears or darker aspects.
4. Literary examples include works like 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde, where the protagonist's portrait acts as his moral double.
5. Doppelgangers have roots in folklore and mythology across cultures, often associated with superstition and the belief that seeing one's double is a harbinger of bad luck.

Review Questions

• How do doppelgangers illustrate the theme of duality in literature?
  • Doppelgangers illustrate the theme of duality by presenting characters with their own reflections or alter egos, creating a contrast between their outward personas and inner selves. This conflict often leads to self-exploration and deeper understanding of one’s identity. Through encounters with their doppelgangers, characters may face their fears, moral dilemmas, or hidden desires, emphasizing the complexity of human nature.
• Analyze the role of doppelgangers as symbols of psychological conflict in specific literary examples.
  • Doppelgangers serve as powerful symbols of psychological conflict in works like 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,' where Dr. Jekyll's alter ego represents his suppressed desires and darker instincts. This duality manifests through physical separation but highlights the internal struggle between his respectable persona and the immoral tendencies he wishes to hide. Such characters confront the consequences of their divided selves, ultimately reflecting on themes of identity and morality.
• Evaluate how the concept of doppelgangers connects to broader themes of identity and existentialism in 18th and 19th-century literature.
  • The concept of doppelgangers in 18th and 19th-century literature connects to broader themes of identity and existentialism by challenging characters' perceptions of themselves and their realities. Writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Oscar Wilde use this motif to explore questions about what it means to be truly oneself amidst societal expectations and personal desires. This exploration often leads to existential crises where characters grapple with their fragmented identities, ultimately reflecting on human existence's complexity and ambiguity.

Related terms

The Uncanny: A psychological concept that refers to something familiar yet alien, provoking feelings of discomfort and eeriness.

Double Identity: The phenomenon where an individual embodies two conflicting identities or personas, often resulting in tension and confusion.

Shadow Self: A term from psychology referring to the unconscious part of one's personality that contains repressed weaknesses, desires, and instincts.