This idea of a doppelganger that is applied in this episode is much closer to the doppelganger of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde than seen in “Doppelgangland” because it uses the concept of splitting a person, rather than duplicating them. In the case of Willow in “Doppelgangland,” the two Willows are the same person, but extremes of her different traits. In “The Replacement” the two Xanders are, supposedly, the real Xander, but split into two halves of a whole. The same idea is true in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, since the experiment was meant to separate two sides of the same person into the ‘wild’ side and the ‘proper/academic’ side. However, despite the hypothetical separating of personality traits, neither the mature Xander from “The Replacement” or Dr. Jekyll are able to completely rid themselves of their ‘worse’ half within their better half. Xander is still goofy and odd, despite being more mature and assertive. Dr. Jekyll is still plagued by the desire to be wild and let out the Mr. Hyde aspect of himself, even though the separation is supposed to cure him of that.
I think that this is summed up well in “The Replacement” when the gang is curing Xander of this split and describe how it is natural for the two halves of him to be together. Although this doesn’t directly address the issue at hand, it does indirectly suggest a reason for why these overlaps are present. Essentially, it is impossible to truly separate your personality into two distinct halves, as proven in the two doppelganger episodes of Buffy and in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It is unnatural for there to be such a complete separation within in a person, since the two halves of someone are supposed to work in harmony together to create a single entity that is balanced and whole. Without a system of checks and balances on ourselves there is no way that we can truly exist in a comfortable way. Even though there are times, such as with Anya, that the two halves conflict that is merely a way to prevent extremes.
This conflict that is seen between the two halves of Willow, Xander, and Dr. Jekyll are all stemming from the same source, the repression of a certain side due to the confines and expectations of society. For all of these characters, their ‘bad’ or ‘wild’ side isn’t necessarily evil, but rather rebels against social norms and expectations. I think that this is particularly evident in the case of Dr. Jekyll because he has such a strong side of him that was chafing against the restrictions of the Victorian Era. I think that this was the source of inspiration for a lot of the creative outlets seen during this time. Dracula addresses this idea of repression through the vampire and the contrast between Lucy and Mina, as well as by simply asking the reader to use their imagination and escape the mundane troubles of the world around them. Jane Austen uses imagination in the same way, as an outlet for the repressed side so that it doesn’t burst forth in the way that Mr. Hyde did. This concept of repression is such an overwhelming theme in Gothic literature because it was so evident in the society at the time and the expression of one’s repressed side was so feared by society. The fear of part of yourself leads to increased repression and also an unbalance in your character, causing conflict, rather than harmony, within yourself.
Love that last part. Repression of the less-than-charming parts of oneself was absolutely a defining characteristic of Victorian society - it was all about putting on a show. Naturally that would lead to fear and intrigue. Cue gothic literature ripe with doppelgangers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point on why Jekyll and Willow would want to repress their darker, more forceful sides. Both Vampire Willow and Mr. Hyde are not socially acceptable (partly because they really like to kill people). But I am confused about Xander. I don't understand why he would repress his successful side. The alt-Xander seems to be a pretty impressive person, why would Xander want to hide those traits from the world?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amelia. I feel as though Xander goes contrary to Willow and Dr. Jekyll because he tries to repress his successful side, and present himself as a clown. However, I also think that this is still a way of conforming to the expectations of others since he feels that his role within the Scooby Gang is that of the useless sidekick who cracks jokes and needs to be saved all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat is true about Xander, in that he represses his successful side, as opposed to the goofy side. I think what Katherine mentioned is true, in that he is most comfortable in a certain position and therefore tries to fit that particular mold. I also think that this relates to his maturity and development. The suave Xander is the mature part of him that had yet to be truly released. It isn't that he is actively trying to represses that side of himself, so much as he doesn't know how to access it yet. He is most comfortable in the role that he has always played as the clown. Although Xander is different from Willow and Mr. Hyde in the sense that his other side isn't evil, he still sees it in a socially unacceptable light. It isn't that this suave side of Xander is socially unacceptable, but that it doesn't fit the mold of who Xander thinks he is. Xander sees himself as someone who is meant to act in a certain way and the mature Xander doesn't quite fit that idea, therefore isn't accessed yet.
ReplyDeleteI would dispute your claim Katherine that Xander's "successful" side is a more mature version of himself that he may grow into, as I think the character of Xander is defined by his indecisiveness dotted with brief moments of heroism and success. Xander cannot access one part of himself as you have suggested because his true character is defined by the fact that he is both the suave and goofy Xander mixed into one body. If doppelgangers tell us anything, it is that cannot truly represent only one side of a person, for if they are a copy of someone, they invariably have to have some of the qualities that make that original person his or herself.
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