Doppelganger

Introduction

The term doppelganger is a fascinating literary device borrowed from the German language, where it literally means “double walker.” This device refers to a character in a story who is a duplicate or shadow of another character, often sharing their appearance or aspects of their personality, but usually differing in crucial ways. Doppelgangers can serve various narrative functions, such as exploring the darker sides of a character, highlighting internal conflicts, or foreshadowing events. They often appear as a twin, a mirror image, or a shadow version of a protagonist or another significant character, raising themes of identity, moral dilemmas, and the human psyche.

Pronunciation: ˈdä-pəl-ˌgaŋ-ər

When Do Writers Use the Doppelganger Literary Device?

Writers employ the doppelganger literary device to enrich their narratives with complexity and depth. This device is particularly effective in genres like horror, mystery, and psychological thrillers, where the interplay of character identities can enhance the suspense and emotional impact of the story. By introducing a doppelganger, writers can:

• Challenge the protagonist: The doppelganger can test or threaten the protagonist, pushing them to face fears or hidden desires.
• Reflect hidden truths: They can act as a mirror to reveal the protagonist’s inner conflicts or suppressed traits.
• Symbolize internal or external conflict: The doppelganger often represents conflicting values or a critical decision point for the character.
• Create suspense or fear: Their mysterious and uncanny nature can add an element of the supernatural or the unsettling to the plot.

Doppelgangers allow writers to delve into the theme of self-discovery and the duality of human nature, providing a unique way to explore personal and existential questions within a narrative.

How Should I Use the Doppelganger Literary Device?

To effectively use the doppelganger in your writing, consider these guidelines:

1. Define the purpose: Decide what role the doppelganger will play in your story. Will they intensify the protagonist’s personal conflicts, or serve as a critical plot device?
2. Create distinct but connected characters: While the doppelganger should mirror the protagonist, ensure they have their own distinct qualities or developments to maintain reader interest and credibility.
3. Build suspense: Use the doppelganger to create suspense and intrigue. Keep their motives and the extent of their similarities to the protagonist somewhat ambiguous to captivate the audience.
4. Utilize symbolism: Leverage the doppelganger to symbolize broader themes or internal conflicts. This not only deepens the narrative but also invites deeper reflection from your audience.
5. Plan a significant encounter: The meeting of the protagonist and their doppelganger is often a climax in the narrative; make it dramatic and full of psychological tension.

By adhering to these rules, you can craft a compelling narrative that utilizes the doppelganger to its full potential, adding layers of meaning and engagement to your story.

Types of Doppelganger

Doppelgangers in literature can be categorized into several types, each serving unique narrative functions and exploring different themes:

1. The Evil Twin: Perhaps the most classic form of doppelganger, the evil twin is a duplicate who embodies the darker traits of the protagonist. This type is often used to explore the moral dimensions of the character or to present a physical manifestation of their internal conflicts.
2. The Ghostly Double: This type appears as a spectral double of a living person, sometimes representing their impending doom or death. It often serves as an omen or a supernatural warning.
3. The Mirror Image: A mirror image doppelganger is not necessarily evil but is a perfect replica in appearance. They might differ in personality or fate, providing a contrast to the original character’s life choices or destiny.
4. The Alter Ego: This type represents a split personality or an alternate version of the character, usually embodying what the original could have been under different circumstances. It often explores themes of identity and existential possibility.
5. The Shadow: Drawing from Carl Jung’s concept of the “shadow” in psychology, this doppelganger represents the repressed, unknown, or disliked parts of oneself. It’s not an exact physical duplicate but a manifestation of hidden aspects of the psyche.

Doppelganger in Literature

Doppelgangers have been used by many authors to add depth and intrigue to their stories. Here are some famous examples in literature:

1. “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson – Perhaps one of the most famous uses of the doppelganger concept where Dr. Jekyll embodies the respectable facade, while Mr. Hyde is the malevolent and uninhibited alter ego.
2. “William Wilson” by Edgar Allan Poe – This story features a protagonist who encounters a rival who shares his name and, initially, his appearances, reflecting his darker impulses and ultimately leading to his downfall.
3. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde – Dorian Gray’s portrait serves as a moral doppelganger, reflecting the corrupt soul that lies beneath his youthful and innocent appearance.
4. “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens – Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton are not exact doubles but represent complex mirror images of one another, with intertwined destinies.
5. “The Double” by Fyodor Dostoevsky – A tale of a man who meets a person who is not only his double in appearance but begins to steal his life, reflecting the fragmentation of identity.

Doppelganger in Children’s Books

Doppelgangers also appear in children’s literature, often to explore themes of discovery and self-identity:

1. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling – When Ron, Hermione, and others use Polyjuice Potion to become “Harrys” to confuse the Death Eaters, serving as a form of protective doppelganger.
2. “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman – Coraline encounters her “Other Mother” and “Other Father,” who are initially appealing versions of her real parents but soon reveal more sinister motives.
3. “The Parent Trap” by Erich Kästner (originally “Lottie and Lisa”) – Twins separated at birth scheme to reunite their divorced parents, each acting as the doppelganger to the other to swap places.

Doppelganger in Poetry

Doppelgangers in poetry often symbolize inner conflict or personal transformation. Some notable examples include:

1. “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The poem features doppelganger imagery with the ghost ship and its spectral crew, serving as omens for the Mariner’s fate.
2. “To Helen” by Edgar Allan Poe – Poe often used themes of doubles and mirrors, and this poem can be interpreted as addressing Helen of Troy as a sort of cultural doppelganger to the personal Helen, bridging personal and mythological reflections.

These examples showcase how the doppelganger device can be adapted across various forms and genres to enrich storytelling and poetic expression.

Doppelganger in Songs

Songs often use the concept of doppelgangers to explore themes of identity, self-reflection, or personal struggle. Here are ten examples where this theme is evident:

1. “The Man Who Sold the World” by David Bowie – This song narrates an encounter between the singer and a doppelganger, discussing past regrets and existential themes.
2. “Stan” by Eminem – Eminem encounters an obsessed fan whose identity increasingly mirrors his own, reflecting a dark side of fame.
3. “Mirror” by Lil Wayne featuring Bruno Mars – The song uses the mirror as a metaphor for self-examination, where the artist talks to his reflection about his life and career.
4. “My Twin” by Katatonia – This song delves into the darker side of the self, where the singer feels haunted by his shadow self.
5. “Doppelgänger” by The Fall of Troy – The title itself suggests themes of an alter ego or second self, wrestling with internal conflict.
6. “Twin Skeleton’s (Hotel in NYC)” by Fall Out Boy – This track explores duplicity and the darker undercurrents of one’s personality.
7. “Shadowplay” by Joy Division – The song lyrically investigates the shadow self, a concept closely related to the doppelganger, in the context of personal turmoil and transformation.
8. “Who Are You?” by The Who – This classic rock song questions identity and the faces we show to the world versus who we really are.
9. “Reflection” from Mulan (Disney Film) – Although part of a film, this song beautifully captures the essence of facing one’s own doppelganger in the mirror, revealing true identity.
10. “Look-Alike” by Sonic the Hedgehog (Soundtrack) – This playful song from the animated series explores humorous aspects of being mistaken for someone else.

Doppelganger in Movies

Doppelgangers in movies are often used to heighten drama, suspense, or psychological conflict. Here are some famous examples:

1. “Us” (2019) – Directed by Jordan Peele, this horror film features a family confronted by their sinister doppelgangers.
2. “Vertigo” (1958) – Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller uses a doppelganger motif through impersonation and mistaken identity.
3. “Enemy” (2013) – This film follows a man who discovers his exact look-alike and the complex psychological journey that ensues.
4. “The Prestige” (2006) – Christopher Nolan’s film about rival magicians uses doubles as a central plot device.
5. “The Parent Trap” (1961 & 1998) – Both versions of this film feature twins separated at birth who later reunite and swap places.
6. “Fight Club” (1999) – The protagonist and his alter ego, Tyler Durden, embody the classic doppelganger relationship, exploring themes of identity and self-destruction.
7. “Moon” (2009) – This sci-fi film features a protagonist who encounters what appears to be his clone.
8. “Adaptation” (2002) – Nicolas Cage plays twin brothers with contrasting personalities, exploring existential and creative angst.
9. “Dead Ringers” (1988) – A psychological thriller featuring twin gynecologists whose identical appearances hide deep individual complexities.
10. “The Double” (2013) – Inspired by Dostoevsky’s novella, this film delves into a man’s psychological unraveling after he encounters his doppelganger.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Doppelganger

From Fight Club (1999): “I am Jack’s complete lack of surprise.” This line is delivered by Edward Norton’s character after discovering that he and Tyler Durden are the same person, capturing the essence of the doppelganger reveal.

YouTube Link Demonstrating Doppelganger

Here’s a clip from Us (2019), where the family confronts their doppelgangers for the first time, a pivotal scene demonstrating the eerie and unsettling nature of encountering one’s double:

Us (2019) – Meeting the Doppelgangers

Doppelganger in Advertising

Doppelgangers are also used in advertising to create memorable campaigns:

1. Apple’s “Mac vs. PC” commercials – These ads personified Mac and PC as two different characters, essentially doubles with contrasting personalities.
2. Coca-Cola’s “Open Happiness” campaign – This campaign featured look-alikes of famous celebrities enjoying Coke, suggesting that anyone can share in the happiness.
3. State Farm Insurance – Features ads with customers discovering their agents look exactly like them, emphasizing the personalized service.

Doppelganger Related Literary Devices

Doppelgangers are closely related to several other literary devices:

1. Foils – A character that contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight particular qualities of the other character.
2. Alter Ego – A second self, which is believed to be distinct from a person’s normal or original personality.
3. Shadow (Jungian) – In Jungian psychology, the shadow or “shadow aspect” may refer to an unconscious aspect of the personality which the conscious ego does not identify in itself, or the entirety of the unconscious, i.e., everything of which a person is not fully conscious.
4. Mirror Characters – Characters who reflect traits, experiences, and issues of other characters, often used to deepen the thematic elements of a narrative.