Actual Identity Identified As Being Overrated
We’re all familiar with the subway scene from Matrix I where the character played by Reeves, known disparagingly as Mr. Anderson and empoweringly as Neo, finally chooses which of these identities will be “himself” by asserting “My name is . . . Neo” The set-up is similar to the scene in Lawrence of Arabia when Lawrence is questioned by a Sinai Canal patrolman “Who are you?” the crucial difference being that Lawrence never does find a good answer.
Things are much more clear-cut for Neo, who rejects fate but insists on doing the right thing, only to find that both roads lead him to the same destination. Neo claims a certain identity for himself, implying his full investment in that particular version of himself. It’s easy to see this as a crux in the plot line. After the hero accepts being a hero, almost everything else is predetermined, and we can go back to sleep listening to our Joseph Campbell tapes, dreaming what we believe to be the dreams of Chuchulain and Song Jiang; we can let Mr. Lawrence lie dead by the side of the road after his motorcycle crash, without a second thought.
The odd thing is that T. E. Lawrence really existed and Neo never even made it to the level of neologism. So what are the fundaments of identity in today’s world? To answer this question, I sought out on-line introductions to Chinese pen-pals who identified themselves:
My name is Andrew Hot. I am engineer. I am engaged in the research that the fire of high building flee for one's life safely. A lot of people died in the fire of high building every year. I want to learn English well, then bring skill of escape from the fire to more people. Make more people benefited.
I am a Chinese boy, maybe in the big world, I seem to be very small, just like dust, but I believe that one day I will be a useful and great man with my friends' help.
I am a chinese business woman living in Beijing, the capital of China. I believe that happinese is just another form of courage.
I am a Chinese girl. Now I am 20 years old. I was born in Shanghai. I am really interested in learing english and other country's culture. And I am willing to make friends with people all around the world. We have different culture,different language,different taste and so on. Maybe we will use whole life to know each other. But this culture shock really excite me. I like interesting and challenging life.
Being a multilanguage speaker has been my dream for ages ever since I was a child. I will pull out all the stops to be a good assistant of your language learning to reward for what you will have done to me.
Male, 22, I have learning English for 8 years, but I can not speak freely and I wanna learn more words. I like film and music, my favorite passtime is photography. I am handsome and tall.
Hi, evertbody. I am a collage student, 21 years old. I'm in Suzhou now. I want to enhance my spoken English and make friends.
I want to improve my spoken English. I can write and read english well. but I just want to speak english freely. i have mba degree. I am a governor. I am 30 years old. I am caring kind and beautiful.
Boring job time, can you spend it with me?
My name is Kai. If your native language is English. Please contact me! I want to voice chat with you. I think you will feel very funny when a man speaking English like a little children. :) We can guess what each other speaking.
Don't be upset and anxious for anything. So long as you are steadfast and persevering, the peace and happiness may be in front of you. Hi, I am always a happy girl!!
If u wanna learn mandarin, I can teach!
I am a common girl. And I wanna to find a friend to pratice english and the important is I need a real friend!
I am a BA in English literature. I have excessive enthusiam for basketball Interests: Basketball, skating, all out-door sports, shopping Favorite Music: We will, we will rock you More about me: Tall and thin, like sports, like sleep, I am willing to make friends with those who take an interest in Chinese language and its culture.
So . . . who are you?
I am
caring, kind and beautiful.
Well, not really, but I'm working on it.
I'm not handsome or tall, but I know someone who is.
I believe courage is a form of happiness.