performance-and-identity
The narrator likens social behavior to acting, revealing how his gestures, like tipping his hat, were performed for an audience rather than genuine interaction.
2 chapters across 2 books
The Fall (1956)Albert Camus
In this chapter, the narrator reflects on a pivotal moment in his life marked by an enigmatic laugh that triggered a gradual awakening to his own vanity, hypocrisy, and the social dynamics of power and domination. He candidly admits to his self-centeredness and forgetfulness, recognizing how he lived superficially, detached from genuine experiences and relationships. The narrator also critiques societal hypocrisy, particularly regarding slavery and power, and reveals his realization of the performative nature of social interactions and his own duplicity.
Too Like the Lightning (2016)Ada Palmer
In this chapter, a theatrical spectacle unfolds at a social gathering where Cato Weeksbooth reluctantly plays the role of Doctor Frankenstein, while his assistant Igor urges him to 'bring the monster to life.' The climax reveals Sniper, an androgynous, exquisitely made-up figure embodying a Frankenstein-like creation, who captivates the audience and is immediately commercialized as a Lifedoll, blurring lines between synthetic life, celebrity, and consumer culture.