Is There Another Someone Inside of You?

The need to define ourselves by producing an image of individuality draws others’ attention to relate to another side of who we are. The subject surrounding creative identity is inspired by the drive to become something different, whether it is like or disliked, popular or controversial. Even as we watch celebrities on television, we somewhat first handedly witness the growth of their persona. And for a minute, you have go beyond the exterior to see what’s the fusion that produces someone to become so appealing. Are people really who we think they are? Or is it something else lurking beneath the flesh yearning for their freedom of expression? Throughout this paper, I will exemplify and examine Erving Goffman’s theory on ego identity (inspired by his book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life) as it relates to self in a “per formative and common” manner.

As a natural Gemini, the most popular and negative misconception that is assumed with people who carry this specific astrological sign is that we contain a multiple personality, that can change in a flash; it‘s on and off, night and day, ying and yang. Although it’s a continuous conflict between the emotional state of a Gemini and other’s respond to their nature, I believe that everyone has a bit of an alter-ego. According to Erving Goffman, “self is a performance, a presentation. We create and perform role throughout our life that project an image we wish to convey to the outside world…” So, with this to support the idea of that there is an inner person within our spirits, it is explained we that even the most ordinary and personality consistent person, must have those moments of irregular behavior.

There’s been a lot of psychological and philosophical debate over whether or not the intentions on whether or not the inner alter-ego is a positive force, since it is something compressed from active display. Psychologist Sigmund Freud’s theory on the ego explains the reality of the principle, which allows you to repress your urges when it isn't a good idea to do what you feel. However, Sikyamuni Buddha believes that the alter-ego’s intent is full of a selfish desire to experience and not to learn and enjoy for “rightful proposes.”

Before I go any further in this paper, I would like to explain the difference between a persona and a alter-ego because I do not want the audience to think that there is a connection to the ego and a person. A person, according to the analytical psychologist C.G. Jung, is a mask presented to satisfy the demands of a situation and not representing the inner personality of that individual. An alter-ego is described to be the second self or the second personality within a person. In Latin, alter-ego means “the other I” and it was coined in the early ninetieth century when schizophrenia was first described by early psychologists. Think of your alter-ego like a two sided coin, where the ego and desire both have their own side; one cannot survive without the other. It would be like riding a bike and the chain suddenly falls off, everything is broken. If we attempt to stop the alter-identity, it would fall into a deep sleep, feeling strange and vulnerable, in a death like state. From there, the self-ego would feel uncomfortable and weak, but soon, it will arise like the fiery Phoenix.

So, to finalize this paper to answer my own question: is it natural to act or become a different person? The answer is, of course, and the reason being is because different people and unusual situations require a change of emotional, mental and physical requests from you. Therefore, you develop multiple personalities wrapped into one body to satisfy those specific needs, depending on the precise needs of others coming from you. As far as me personally, my alter-ego as a Gemini is displayed though various forms of creativity, specifically through the gift of sing, song, dance and literature. The process of my alter-ego’s reality is translated from my dreams into action. My obsession with making my dreams come true through entertainment is my alter-ego.