Doppelgänger in Literature

Doppelgänger in Literature: Introduction

The exploration of the Doppelgänger in literature, a term derived from the German meaning “double-goer” or “double-walker,” serves as a recurring and captivating theme.

This literary device manifests as either an exact physical replica or a symbolic representation of internal conflicts, delving into the realms of identity, duality, and the enigmatic aspects of human nature.

From Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting exploration in “William Wilson” to Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic depiction in Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the Doppelgänger theme continues to enthrall readers, providing them with complexities of selfhood and the uncanny reflections that linger within the human psyche.

Doppelgänger in Literature: Shakespearean Examples

Shakespeare, a master of exploring complex human emotions and psychological nuances, incorporated the theme of the Doppelgänger in several of his plays. Notable examples include:

1. “Hamlet”:
   • In Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, the titular character encounters the ghost of his father, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the deceased king. This spectral figure functions as a Doppelgänger, prompting Hamlet’s internal turmoil and catalyzing the play’s exploration of revenge, madness, and existential questions.
2. “Macbeth”:
   • The tragedy Macbeth features a hallucination experienced by the protagonist, Macbeth, in which he sees a vision of himself. This apparition serves as a Doppelgänger, foreshadowing Macbeth’s descent into moral ambiguity, paranoia, and self-destruction.
3. “Twelfth Night”:
   • In the comedy Twelfth Night, Shakespeare employs the theme of mistaken identity and disguise, leading to a series of characters adopting alternate personas. Viola, in particular, poses as her brother Cesario, creating a Doppelgänger effect that contributes to the play’s comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglements.
4. “Othello”:
   • The tragedy Othello includes a character named Iago, who deceives and manipulates others, presenting a facade that sharply contrasts with his true nature. Iago’s ability to present a false exterior creates a Doppelgänger effect, contributing to the play’s exploration of jealousy, deception, and betrayal.
5. “Richard III”:
   • Shakespeare’s historical play Richard III features a protagonist, Richard, who is both physically and morally deformed. Richard’s outward appearance serves as a Doppelgänger, reflecting his inner malevolence and contributing to the play’s portrayal of political intrigue and manipulation.

In these Shakespearean examples, the use of Doppelgängers adds layers of complexity to the characters and themes, showcasing Shakespeare’s understanding of the human psyche and his ability to weave intricate narratives that resonate across centuries.

Doppelgänger in Literature: Examples

Literary Work	Character/Scenario	Doppelgänger Theme
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde	– Dr. Jekyll’s transformation into Mr. Hyde.	– The dual identity of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde serves as a Doppelgänger motif, exploring the internal struggle between good and evil within a single individual.
The Picture of Dorian Gray	– Dorian Gray’s portrait aging while he remains youthful.	– The portrait acts as a symbolic Doppelgänger, reflecting the consequences of Dorian’s immoral actions and serving as a visual representation of his hidden corruption.
Frankenstein	– Victor Frankenstein’s creation of the Creature.	– The Creature serves as a physical Doppelgänger, embodying the darker aspects of Victor’s ambitions and the consequences of playing god through the act of creation.
Wuthering Heights	– Heathcliff and his troubled doppelgänger-like love for Catherine Earnshaw.	– Heathcliff’s obsessive and vengeful love for Catherine, mirrored in the next generation, represents a thematic Doppelgänger exploring themes of love, revenge, and despair.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde	– Mr. Utterson’s investigation into the mysterious Mr. Hyde.	– Mr. Hyde serves as a malevolent Doppelgänger, embodying the darker desires and impulses suppressed within Dr. Jekyll, contributing to the novella’s exploration of duality.
The Picture in the House (Short Story by H.P. Lovecraft)	– Encounter with a mysterious old man.	– The mysterious old man serves as a psychological Doppelgänger, reflecting the protagonist’s morbid curiosity and the unsettling aspects of human nature.
Fight Club	– The narrator’s alter ego, Tyler Durden.	– Tyler Durden represents a psychological Doppelgänger, embodying the narrator’s repressed desires and dissatisfaction with societal norms, leading to a complex narrative twist.
Black Swan (Film and Literary Adaptation)	– Nina Sayers and her transformation into the Black Swan.	– Nina’s transformation into the Black Swan serves as a psychological Doppelgänger, exploring themes of perfectionism, ambition, and the darker aspects of artistic expression.

These examples showcase the diverse use of the Doppelgänger motif in literature, exploring themes of duality, morality, and the complexities of human nature beyond the works of Shakespeare.

Doppelgänger in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

• Psychoanalytic Theory:
  • Examines the Doppelgänger as a manifestation of the protagonist’s repressed desires or internal conflicts.
  • Freudian analysis may interpret the Doppelgänger as the “shadow self,” representing the darker aspects of the character’s psyche.
• Jungian Archetypes:
  • Views the Doppelgänger as an archetype embodying the protagonist’s unconscious fears or suppressed traits.
  • Represents the struggle for individuation and the integration of opposing forces within the psyche.
• Feminist Literary Theory:
  • Explores the Doppelgänger in relation to female characters, addressing themes of identity, agency, and societal expectations.
  • Examines how female Doppelgängers may challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles in literature.
• Postcolonial Theory:
  • Considers the Doppelgänger in the context of colonial and postcolonial narratives.
  • Explores how the Doppelgänger may symbolize cultural clashes, identity crises, or the impact of colonization on individual and collective identities.
• Structuralism:
  • Analyzes the Doppelgänger as a structural element contributing to the narrative’s overall meaning.
  • Focuses on the binary oppositions and dualities presented by the Doppelgänger, exploring their role in narrative structure.
• Reader-Response Theory:
  • Investigates how readers interpret and engage with Doppelgänger motifs.
  • Examines the impact of the Doppelgänger on reader identification, empathy, and the construction of meaning within the literary text.
• Marxist Literary Criticism:
  • Interprets the Doppelgänger in relation to class struggles or societal divisions.
  • Explores how the Doppelgänger may represent economic disparities, power imbalances, or the alienation of certain social groups.
• Deconstructionist Theory:
  • Questions the stability of identity and meaning associated with the Doppelgänger.
  • Emphasizes the ambiguity and multiplicity of interpretations, deconstructing traditional binary oppositions.

The relevance of the Doppelgänger in these literary theories highlights its versatility as a symbol that can be analyzed through various critical lenses, enriching the depth and complexity of literary interpretation.

Doppelgänger in Literature: Relevant Terms

1. Duality:
   • State of contrasting aspects, explored through characters or themes.
2. Alter Ego:
   • Secondary self embodying distinct traits.
3. Psychological Conflict:
   • Inner struggles within a character, often symbolized by a Doppelgänger.
4. Shadow Self:
   • Unconscious and darker aspects of an individual’s personality.
5. Juxtaposition:
   • Placing two elements side by side for comparison.
6. Symbolism:
   • Use of symbols, with the Doppelgänger symbolizing internal conflicts.
7. Identity Crisis:
   • Period of uncertainty about one’s sense of self.
8. Moral Ambiguity:
   • Lack of clear moral principles, depicted through Doppelgänger-like characters.
9. Symbolic Resonance:
   • Use of symbols with layered meanings, seen in the Doppelgänger’s symbolic depth.
10. Archetype:
    • Universally recognized symbol or character type, with the Doppelgänger as a psychological archetype.

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.