Philip Roth – Master of the Double Identity
Philip Roth – Master of the Double Identity
Philip Roth – Master of the “Double Identity” because he suffers from one
What influences ones identity? Is it their homes, their parents,
their religion, or maybe where they live? When do they get one? Do they get
it when they understand right from wrong, or when they can read, or are
they born with it? Everyone has one and each identity is unique, or is it?
In literature, (or life) religion plays a large role in a characters identity. However, sometimes the writers own religion and personal experiences shapes the characters identity more than his/her imagination does. A persons religion can play a big role in ones identity. Throughout his works, Philip Roth explores the theme of identity doubles. Roths portrayal of identity formation in his characters is directly inspired by his own identity; his life.
One of the most obvious examples of Roths art imitating life is in two of his books naming the main characters after none other than himself. It was among some of the many startling gestures in his career; in Deception (1990) he
referred to the main character as Philip and in Operation Shylock (1993) he made reference to the main character as Philip Roth. In her article titled, “Philip Roths Fictions of Self Exposure”, Debra Shostak remarks how odd it is for an author to outwardly make reference to themselves when most authors want avoid any personal association with their work other than writing it, she further points out that Roth intentionally writes this way, making his career out of his readers