CONSTRUCTED FACES: THE ROLE OF MASKING IN SHAPING IDENTITY
CONSTRUCTED FACES: THE ROLE OF MASKING IN SHAPING IDENTITY

Summary/Abstract: Throughout the history of humanity masks have been used as efficient ways of hiding, altering, or controlling how something is seen — especially when it comes to identity, emotion, or information. Traditional cultures use masks to transform identity because they see masks as tools for connecting with the spiritual world or fulfilling important social roles. When someone puts on a ritual mask, they’re not just hiding who they are — they’re becoming someone or something else: a spirit, ancestor, god, or mythical figure. This transformation gives the mask power, and it lets the wearer step into a role that’s often sacred or symbolic. So, the mask doesn’t just cover identity — it creates a new one for that moment. In literature, masks often represent the personas or false identities that characters put on — sometimes to hide their true selves, and sometimes to survive in society. These "masks" can be literal (like a disguise) or symbolic (like pretending to be someone you're not emotionally or socially). Consequently, writers use this idea to explore identity — who a character really is versus how they present themselves to others. The tension between a character’s true identity and their mask often reveals deeper themes such as emotional alienation, social isolation, the need for acceptance, etc.

• Details
• Contents