A Division in Reality: Help Me!

     Now I know that watching the movie is NOT a substitute for reading the book, but take a look at this fantastic Movie Trailer here of "Being There" to get a sense of the main character Chance! Chance is such a fascinating individual who really drags the reader into the story. Have you ever heard of an othering? Maybe you haven't, so let me give you a universal example that can give you a deeper understanding before we dive into our text!

     An othering is defined as a dynamic in which a division of reality occurs. So where in the world would you see an othering in our day to day lives? Essentially, the "other" is the opposition to the "same". So for example, a person who is diagnosed with schizophrenia battles with multiple personalities. So this person's normal personality, known as the "same" is not a constant personality. The mental disorder causes them to express "other" personalities that creates a division in reality. This type of disorder disables a person to think clearly, emotionally react accurately, and see the reality of the world. While this disease seems very far-fetched, it is actually quite common and alludes to our main character Chance!


     Through the television Chance watches regularly, an othering is formed that creates a division in Chance. Like all of us, Chance watches TV daily and is very fascinated by what the vivid images, sounds, and shows have to offer him. But, Chance is actually offered an opportunity that many of us never get to have, actually STAR on a television show!  “Chance turned on the TV. He wondered whether a person changed before or after appearing on the screen. Would he be changed forever or only during the time of his appearance? What part of himself would he leave behind when he finished the program? Would there be two Chances after the show: one Chance who watched TV and another who appeared on it?” (Kozinski 61). I think about this except as the first time you hear a recording of your voice or see yourself on a video tape. Automatically you think: "Is that really me? Do I really sound like that? Do I really look that that?"

     Well yes, believe it or not that REALLY is you. That "other" side of yourself that you see or hear is how you perceive yourself when you step back and listen to a recording of your voice or a silly video of you. The excerpt above exemplifies this scenario exactly only in Chance's shoes. The "same" side of Chance is the person who lives as a gardener. his "other" side is what he perceives himself to be through television. This language of interpretation device reinforces the theme of the novel. The conflict of reality versus perception not only is exhibited through the TV, but also inside Chance himself! In order for characters to overcome this conflict, they must first differentiate between what is REALLY reality and what is perception.



     So learn from Chance! Find yourself and don't lose yourself in the reality versus perception conflict!!!