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The Mirror Scene | FIRST


The mirror is a coated surface that reflects a clear image of reality as any dictionary may define. However, the image that is seen by one would not solely be the clear image of reality, when the psychological state of whom is taken into consideration. The identification of self and the image of oneself that is intended to be seen through reflection may not be overlapping in several moments, it can be even the opposite. The ideal self that one wants to become is described as “ego ideal” which is desired to be seen when one looks toward its reflection. This relationship of one and its ego ideal is depicted through mirror scenes in the cinema since the mirror is a powerful metaphor in the case of referring interrelation of these terms. In cinema many of the characters who are in depressive states are depicted as they are falling apart from their reflections by putting distance in between the mirror and the performer, or placing the mirror in an unreachable position, indicating the disconnection of their existing self and their ideal personas. On contrary, the over-intimacy of the characters and their reflections may indicate the manic state of mind concerning the unification of the self and the ego ideal. Now, I am interested in revealing the underlying psychoanalytic references that discuss the relation of self and ego ideal, since the act of looking at the surface and recognizing oneself from there is interesting in itself. 




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