THE AVATAR IN PANAMA - Theses - Flinders University

3.1 Shoes and Mirrors: Images of Doubling The Avatar in Panamato the idea of lustre and reflection, elements which link both shoes andmirrors.When the Shoe’s on the Other’s foot: Shoes in Literature ofthe DoubleHow then does the image of the shoe relate to the device of thedouble? As seen, shoes have many variants like boots and slippers,and as a symbol of personal identity shoes represent the individual inhis or her absence although sometimes one shoe may suffice inconveying this same message of personal identity. 17Figuratively, ‘to be in another’s shoes’ is to adopt the particularindividual characteristics of that person or to duplicate their situationand circumstance; in essence to assume their persona. This identitychange occurs for the duration of the wearing of the shoes so in effect,the accessory of the shoe allows one person to become another. Yetanother aspect of the double in literature is the use of the shoe deviceas a substitute or surrogate about replacing someone which is evidentin the phrase “to fill someone’s shoes” is that person’s surrogate orscapegoat. Putting “the shoe on the other foot” often designates eitheropting for the alternative course of action in a situation, assuming acontrary point of view or another’s position on a subject. This is oftenemployed when the double depicts the polar opposite of the original.The empty shoe is representative of an association with theperson, (if not the person itself) epitomised in the story “Cinderella”, ascreating an impression of that person. 18 More interestingly, the style ofshoe and even its fabric may also be indicative of the subject’spersonality type or even sexual identity.Jaramillo Levi’s one paragraph long “La sombra” (ASE) reflectsthe distressed mental processes of a victim of political torture. Thenarrator is forced to the floor and kicked: He is aware he is being“asediado por el [sic] veinte y cinco sombras con zapatos”. 19 As the onlyreference to his assailants, the shoes are perhaps the only feature he17 In the case of retifism (shoe fetishism) however, one shoe only may suffice inconveying this same notion of personal identity: the fetishist requires the shoe alone tobe satisfied and not the actual wearer as the wearer rarely is considered an entityapart from the shoe itself. Kippen.18 Many of today’s adages reflect this idea: getting off on the wrong foot (giving thewrong impression), putting your best foot forward or (being on your best behaviour).19 Jaramillo Levi, “La sombra”, Ahora que soy él, 80.148