We can see that No.1 hides behind two masks until they are stripped away to reveal a face we know so very well, that of Patrick McGoohan. And really when all's said and done, no-one but an egotistical person would make himself No.1?
But there are others who put their true identities behind a mask, those faceless men and women of the assembly for a start. Yet false identities are stripped away, as No.2's persona has died, and he is resurrected as a new man {I say this simply for arguments sake} his true self having been left back in the cage. Or perhaps the personal mask he wore as No.2. It could be said that the old mask of No.2 was stripped away by the removal of his hair and goatee beard. And having been so stripped away - No.2 can no longer hide!
As for No.48, well he doesn't appear to hide behind a mask of any kind. With No.48 what you see is what you get, and in that perhaps No.48 is the purist of them all.
BCNU
Hi David,
ReplyDeletethat's a very interesting thought. It reminded me of a quote of Erving Goffman. According to his theory, we are all actors, trying to represent ourselves in the best possible way. There is a kind of "stage self" and there is a private self.
I think it needs more courage than egoism to unmask oneself.
Best wishes,
Jana
BCNU
Hello Jana,
DeleteAn intersting comment, and quite true when one thinks about it. A "stage self" and a "private self," yes I like the idea of that. Makes one think.
Kind regards
David
BCNU