With or Against?

The title of the memoir, By Any Other Name gives away the fact that the author does not agree with dual personalities. The author clearly points out that she is against the dual personality with the title. As she goes on telling her story, she lists out all the negatives that can happen when you are not yourself. Her real name is Santha, but because the teacher believes it is too hard to pronounce, she calls her Cynthia instead. From the beginning, she doesn’t like the sound or the thought of that name. It must have been very awkward for her. Not only was she a new student, but she was also new to the whole idea of a school. By the time she arrives to school, she leaves her other half at home and brings, “Cynthia” instead. The fact that she cannot be herself at age five, shows that she is a lost, young, little girl. Dual personalities will never let you be your own true self, but hide inside a shell until it is broken. Santha’s shell was broken when her sister barged into her classroom and made her come out of the class. I would have to say that that was the best thing her sister could have ever done for her. If Santha was in that school for any longer, she would have eventually forgotten her true identity of being herself. Cynthia was a totally different person compared to Santha. Santha was hyper, energetic, social, and loved learning from her mother. But, on the other hand, Cynthia was quite, shy, and didn’t like the teachings from the school. Even now, she reflects on the past and realizes that she should always be herself no matter what or who tries to change it. My thoughts on this opinion conclude to the reason why I believe the author was against dual personalities.