Identity

Identities never form in black and white ways nor does the influences of external and internal factors which both contribute to conform one’s identity. Our internal factors such as morals, beliefs and values are often influenced by external factors like our relationships with others and our world. Richard Ayodes, “The Double”, a film of 2013 concentrates on Simon a character with a timid personality and James his doppelganger who extenuates as an outgoing and overwhelming character which externally contributes to Simon altering his perspective of himself. However, Simon’s internal factors from the beginning of the film significantly changed from being invisible to the people’s eye to being acknowledged for his uniqueness by the end of the film. Similarly as identity is presented in Richard Ayodes, “The Double”, through the character of Simon relates to the Stick Figures in Shaun Tans, “Stick Figures”. Thus, the stick figures are disregarded as people pay little attention to them as the same for Simon in “The Double”. After analsying both texts, it has given a further understanding of how identity can shape or mold one’s. Finally, it has portrayed the influences for external and internal factors to conform a person’s identity.
One’s identity is influenced by external factors. In ‘The Double’, Simon’s relationship with his Mother is an external influence on his mental health and the general feeling of dissatisfaction. Richard Ayoades use of camera movement emphasis Simon’s feeling of be little-ment by his Mum. Simon’s conversation with his mum on the phone, for instance, employs a camera dollying backward to make Simon smaller. By shooting him smaller, portrays the insignificant of Simon and the weak relation to his Mother. The set design of “the double” portrays a low economic status of Simon. The paint in the carriage of the rain is peeling off which the audience feels sympathy towards Simon as it sits on the empty train in a poor environment. The poor management...