Tori Beaty
INTG 323
Reflection #3
5 February 2012
Duel Identities
Every person must decide for themselves which identities are real and which are secret. Sometimes it seems as though superheroes have their identities chosen for them. It is typical for a superhero to create an identity as a normal human and is then forced to create his or her secret identity as a superhero after acquiring powers. However, I believe superheroes eventually have the option to choose whichever identity they wish to have as their real/secret. Some superheroes become so engrossed in their super abilities that being a superhero takes over their lives and have difficulty living like a typical human. At this point, I believe their super side becomes their real identity while their previous human identity becomes their secret.
I think that similar situations arise for typical people. We all must change our actions when we are in different situations. All people play different roles and are expected to behave appropriately. I myself, play multiple roles. I am a student, daughter, sister, athlete, girlfriend, employee, etc. In every situation some part of my personality shines through, but is changed in order to fit the particular role. I am more professional at practice and work and more relaxed in social situations. However, even though I behave somewhat differently, I also think that each role that I play changes my overall personality. Throughout my athletic career I have gradually become a very hardworking person. This trait has helped me excel athletically, but it has also changed my study habits as well as my actions in a work environment. I have found that spending more time with my boyfriend has helped me learn to be a little bit more easygoing in situations with friends or coaches that would have previously stressed me out. I think that similar ideas could apply to superheroes. Bruce Wayne’s emotional, revenge seeking personality seeps into Batman’s actions. In the end, a person can have separate identities, but in the end they are still one person and each identity will eventually affect the others.
I like this idea of multiple identities, but only one personality. After thinking about it, I find myself doing the same thing. I have different roles I play or put on to fit the situation I am in, but my personality changes very slowly over time based on my experiences. Good insight.
ReplyDeleteIn essence, what you have done is found that balance that lets you bring the good qualities from one identity to bear on your others. This balance is essential if we are to keep one identity from taking over our lives (like some of the superheroes do). Batman become obsessed so he really is only Batman and not Bruce Wayne, for example. The balance you have found can contribute to the improvement of all areas of your life.
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