Doppelganger

The concept of a doppelganger takes place in numerous literary works, movies, and other aspects of culture. The term can have a couple of meanings. It can imply a certain person who looks exactly like someone else or, in literary pieces, a ghostly twin of a living person. 

It first came to English around 1850, originating from the old German folklore, in which it was believed that all people had a spiritual twin that looked exactly the same but couldn’t be seen. Oftentimes, those twins were described as a negative, spiritually opposite copy of a person. 

In 1796, Johann P. Richter, a German writer, devised the term “doppelganger” to describe those spiritual creatures. It is a combination of two words, which are translated as “double” and “goer”. It’s worth noting that ghosts and doppelgangers are two different things. While ghosts appear after a person’s death, doppelgangers can exist with their living twins at the same time.

Other terms that are oftentimes confused with doppelganger include foil and alter ego. As these literary techniques have a similar function in works of literature (act as a double of the character), their use and meanings sometimes are confused with each other. So, while a doppelganger is a spiritual twin of the character, an alter ego is an opposite side of the same character, and a foil is an opposing person who serves to counter the main character.  In most scenarios, using a doppelganger as a literary tool implies something unrealistic and supernatural. At the same time, a foil is a real living person who juxtaposes the character. And an alter ego isn’t supernatural either: it’s a psychological concept. 

The doppelganger concept is very old and has been making a big impact on numerous cultures for years. Despite this fact, it is relatively new for the Western culture and literature. Still, it can be found in many literary pieces. Authors use this literary tool for a number of reasons. First of all, the concept of doppelgangers allows writers to create a supernatural, mystical atmosphere in the story. Another role a doppelganger can play in the narrative is to help the reader explore sides of a human life, peculiarities that make every human unique, and things that determine our personal identities.

When adding a doppelganger to the plot, authors can raise the question of free will and the originality of each person. It is also an excellent way to create a conflict between the character and his doppelganger, illustrating certain sides of the character in his doppelganger, which he had no knowledge of. 

While doppelgangers can create a supernatural, sometimes scary atmosphere, they are oftentimes used for a comical effect. When the author portrays the doppelganger as an incompetent, silly, or awkward, this creates a positive and sometimes ridiculous ambiance in the text.

The examples of doppelgangers in literary pieces are versatile and diverse. One of the brightest examples belongs to F. Dostoevsky. In his novella called “The Double”, which name itself implies the use of this literary device, he describes a man who meets his doppelganger and faces many challenges because of that. While other characters cannot spot the resemblance, the main hero thinks that it’s obvious, which leads him to gradually becoming paranoid. With the course of the narrative, the main character becomes mentally deranged. In this case, a doppelganger serves to add a dramatic effect to the story. The whole plot is built around this concept, which only shows what an important place this literary tool can take in a story.

Shakespeare also used a doppelganger in one of his most mystical and supernatural plays, “Hamlet”. Here, this literary technique is exemplified by the ghost of Hamlet’s father. The doppelganger possesses his memories and appearance, which creates an additional moral dilemma for the main character. In this case, the doppelganger concept is used to create a dramatic moment, add even more mystery to the story, and question the main character’s sanity.

Another example can be found in “A Tale of Two Cities” written by C. Dickens. Here, the main character meets his doppelganger and, by the end of the narrative, takes his place on the guillotine. This is another example of the doppelganger technique when it’s used to create a dramatic effect and raise questions of spirituality and free will. 

Edgar Allen Poe, being a gothic writer, managed to masterfully build one of his stories around the concept of a doppelganger. In his “William Wilson”, he describes how the main character meets his copy and how the twin starts to take over the main hero’s life. Here, this literary tool is used to accentuate the question of human individuality and uniqueness. As the main character worries about losing his personality and life, the story raises many questions linked to the personal identity and conflict between the doppelganger and the main hero.