Many Masks, Many Selves Presentation

Wendy Doniger examines the meaning of the triple cross and the plethora of the political, historical, literary, and popular figures associated with that concept in her article, “Many Masks, Many Selves.” She focuses on two major categories in which the act of masquerading a masquerader occurs: politics and gender. After illustrating the ubiquity of the triple cross, Doniger asserts that we need our masks to function properly in life. We use masks to attract people that we wish to associate ourselves with, and perhaps the one who will love us unmasked. Doniger concludes that without our masks, we would become disillusioned, insecure, and unhappy with ourselves.