Doppelgänger: A Literary Device

Doppelgänger: Etymology

The term “Doppelgänger” originates from the German language, where “Doppel” means double, and “Gänger” means goer or walker. The etymology of “Doppelgänger” is deeply rooted in German folklore and literature. The concept of the Doppelgänger has historical antecedents, with early German legends featuring supernatural doubles or apparitions. The term gained prominence in the 19th century with the rise of German Romantic literature, where it became a central motif symbolizing the uncanny and the darker aspects of human nature. The Doppelgänger, as a literary and cultural archetype, continues to evoke themes of identity, duality, and the mysterious reflection of the self in various forms of artistic expression.

Doppelgänger: Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Literal Meaning	Conceptual Meaning
Double or Look-alike:	Psychological Duality:
– Refers to a physical	– Represents internal conflicts and
duplicate or identical	complexities within an individual.
counterpart.	Supernatural Significance:
	– Often carries an eerie or ominous
	connotation, suggesting a mystical
	or otherworldly presence.
	Symbol of Fate and Death:
	– Linked to premonitions or omens,
	foreshadowing events, particularly
	those related to mortality.

Doppelgänger: Definition as a Literary Device

The Doppelgänger, as a literary device, encompasses the portrayal of a character’s double or look-alike, serving as a symbolic representation of internal psychological conflicts or existential duality within the narrative.

This motif often conveys themes of identity crisis, moral ambiguity, and the shadow self, adding layers of complexity to character development. In literature, the presence of a Doppelgängers frequently triggers introspection, inviting readers to explore the multifaceted nature of the human psyche and grapple with the consequences of encountering one’s own mirror image.

Doppelgänger: Types

Type of Doppelgänger	Characteristics	Examples in Literature
Physical Doppelgängers	– Exact physical resemblance to the original character.	– In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the creature serves as a physical doppelgänger to Victor Frankenstein.
Evil Twin Doppelgängers	– Malevolent intentions, often seeking harm or replacement of the original.	– In Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Mr. Hyde is the evil twin doppelgänger of Dr. Jekyll.
Psychological Doppelgängers	– Symbolic representation of internal psychological conflicts.	– In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, the character Raskolnikov’s internal struggles manifest as a psychological doppelgänger.
Supernatural Doppelgängers	– Possesses mystical or supernatural qualities.	– In Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, the portrait of Dorian Gray serves as a supernatural doppelgänger reflecting his moral decay.
Symbolic Doppelgängers	– Represents abstract concepts or themes rather than a physical double.	– In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the character Pearl functions as a symbolic doppelgänger, embodying the consequences of Hester’s actions.
Narrative Doppelgängers	– Created for storytelling purposes, introducing complexity or unexpected twists.	– In E.L. Doctorow’s Billy Bathgate, the character Bo Weinberg serves as a narrative doppelgänger, influencing the protagonist’s journey.
Cultural Doppelgängers	– Reflects cultural or societal expectations and norms.	– In Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake, Gogol Ganguli experiences a cultural doppelgänger effect as he navigates his identity between Indian and American cultures.
Mirror Image Doppelgängers	– Appears as a reflection or mirror image of the original.	– In Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass, Alice encounters a mirror image doppelgänger world where everything is reversed.
Folie à Deux Doppelgängers	– Shared delusion where two individuals perceive each other as doppelgängers.	– In Edgar Allan Poe’s “William Wilson,” the protagonist experiences a folie à deux doppelgänger effect, perceiving his double as a tormentor.

These examples illustrate the diverse applications of the Doppelgänger motif in literature, showcasing how different types of doppelgängers contribute to narrative depth and thematic exploration.

Doppelgänger: Examples in Everyday Life

While the concept of a Doppelgänger is most commonly associated with literature and folklore, instances of real-life look-alikes or uncanny resemblances can be found in everyday life. Here are a few examples:

1. Celebrity Look-alikes:
   • People who bear striking resemblances to well-known celebrities often become subjects of fascination. Social media platforms frequently showcase individuals who are mistaken for or purposely emulate famous personalities.
2. Family Resemblance:
   • Within families, members may share strong physical similarities that go beyond mere genetics. Siblings, cousins, or even distant relatives may be mistaken for one another due to common facial features or expressions.
3. Doppelgängers’ Encounters:
   • Individuals may unexpectedly encounter someone who looks remarkably similar to them in public spaces. These chance meetings can be surprising and may lead to a moment of confusion or amusement.
4. Historical Doppelgängers:
   • People occasionally discover historical photographs or paintings featuring individuals who bear a remarkable resemblance to themselves or someone they know. This can create a sense of connection across time.
5. Artistic Portrayals:
   • Artists may unintentionally create characters or figures that resemble real individuals. This can lead to instances where people identify with or recognize themselves in various artistic works.
6. Virtual Doppelgängers:
   • With the rise of deepfake technology, individuals may encounter digital representations of themselves in videos or images that appear convincingly real. This can lead to ethical concerns and challenges related to identity and misinformation.
7. Twin Strangers:
   • Some individuals actively search for their “twin strangers” – people who are not biologically related but share an uncanny physical resemblance. Online platforms and social media have facilitated connections between individuals who discover their doppelgängers.
8. Professionally Impersonating Celebrities:
   • Impersonators who specialize in mimicking the appearance and mannerisms of celebrities contribute to the idea of real-life doppelgängers. These individuals may be hired for events, performances, or entertainment purposes.

While these examples lack the supernatural or symbolic connotations often associated with literary doppelgängers, they highlight instances where people encounter or share striking physical similarities in the course of their everyday lives.

Doppelgänger in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Poe, Edgar Allan. “William Wilson.” The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, edited by Arthur Hobson Quinn, Doubleday, 1966, pp. 793-808.
2. Stevenson, Robert Louis. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Dover Publications, 1991.
3. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, Vintage, 1993.
4. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Penguin Classics, 2003.
5. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Oxford University Press, 2008.
6. Carroll, Lewis. Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. Penguin Classics, 2003.
7. Doctorow, E.L. Billy Bathgate. Random House, 1990.
8. Lahiri, Jhumpa. The Namesake. Mariner Books, 2004.
9. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Dover Publications, 1994.
10. Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, Penguin Classics, 1998.