Masked Identities

Both the story of Cindy Sherman and Etgar's inspired piece on impersonation, embody the curiousity we allow, of what, or who we could be, that is different than who we are. No matter how fullfilled a person is, there is not a single individual who has no complaints about the life they lead. Whether what one disdains, is small or large, of many things or few, we all experience the desire of wishing to be someone else. Cindy Sherman expresses this concept by dressing as different characters and capturing an image of these possibilities. Further, the un-indentified woman in this story, is entertained by prentending to be Cindy Sherman herself; which is interesting, as this artist can appear to be anyone she desires. In Etgar's piece " A Healthy Start", the fantasizing of multiple indentities is intensified. I found it extremely odd that the main character would go so far, in portraying another man, to allow himself to be physically injured. He appears to be so lonely, or so disinterested in himself, that he is willing to be anyone else, if only for a little while. When life becomes tense, imbearable, dull or terrfying, I believe that opening a door to another possible life, is a common way of escaping reality.


If you are ashamed of something, the logical solution is to hide it. If you get a bad haircut, you may opt to wear a hat. If your vehicle is presently a mess, you may not offer someone a ride, without hiding the evidence first. In any case, when you are embarassed by something, it means you identify it's unattractive qualities. In the story of Ryan, a journalist, he recognizes his job as questionable and is therefore, ashamed to indentify with Journatic. In this case, he does not cover up his identity with lies, but wishes to expose it. If someone puts on a mask, it will continue to feel fake, because it is; I believe Ryan's decision to come forward with his knowledge, is a example of this belief. Journatic however, know what they are doing is wrong and by creating aliases for their outsourced workers, prove that they are ashamed of their own actions. Journatic continues to rave about the great good they are doing for journalism, however, the made up names of American reporters, represents a lie that can not be sugar coated into a truth; that is, the truth of their own shame. These examples of "masked identities", reveal yet another way, in which individuals attempt to escape what they would rather not recognize.


Jackie's story is one that I believe, highlights a common human error; this error, is that of when we deceive ourselves, by placing an "ideal" identity upon those around us, or even upon ourselves. In the case that we feel a lack of security, or sense of self, we might create a certain personality which helps to make sense of who we are; Jackie, who grew up without a mother and only a distant father, tries to imitate her "mail order mother", Pora. In another case, we may deceive ourselves by creating an identity of someone we look up to, or follow. While Pora never shows any interest in Jackie or her siblings, Jackie remains hopeful that Pora will turn out to be the "ideal" mother she had been lacking. I believe that it is easy for one to become blinded by what they imagine another to be, because they can not bear to face any other possiblility; Jackie holds on to the image of her father, as loving and caring, no matter what he does to prove otherwise. If one is surrounded by family and friends who are loving, nurturing and loyal, they have no reason to wish for alternate identities; however, if one is among only those who will continue to dissapoint them, it may be easier to believe a lie, than to face the truth, of who one really is.