True West: Identity
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2 word format
document in english
film studies
school essay
published 03/12/2007
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SummaryOne acquires his own identity through his inner self and his milieu. His interpretation of his own needs and desires plays a big role in whether he decides to abide by society’s norms or to completely disregard his ego by complying to the inner beast (or what psychologists refer to one’s ID). Sam Shepard addresses this humanistic trait through two characters, Austin and Lee, in his play, True West. When both brothers’ lives take an unexpected turn, each of them is forced to stray from the life he has allowed to become part of his identity and to partake in exploring what is left – his inner self. Throughout the play, after both brothers involuntarily swap roles, they become misplaced souls, as they have lost the external identity that was once very familiar to them. As a result, their inner selves become insecure and lost. Through this storyline, Shepard implies the importance of harmonizing the inner self and the external self in order to fully acquire one’s identity.
Table of Contents
- Austin's loss of faith in the grand scheme.
- The brothers talk about their father.
- Metaphor in their mother's houseplants.
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