Analyzing The Postmodern Identity In Big Hero 6

Adopting the theories mainly from the postmodern critic Fredric Jameson, this paper attempts to analyze the identity problem in the film Big Hero 6. The purpose is to reveal the postmodern individual‘s depthless, fragmented and subverted identity in this film.Jameson claims there is a new depthlessness in the postmodern world, closely linked up with pastiche and simulacrum which lead to the waning of affect phenomenon. With the weakening of depth and historicity, the postmodern subject is experiencing the fragmented self which is defined by Jameson as ?schizophrenia?. Therefore, the people‘s identity in the postmodern world is no longer stable but decentred and subverted.This paper is divided into three phases to analyze the postmodern identity. First, the depthless identity is discussed from the superficial self and the hysterical self in this film, mainly caused by pastiche, simulacrum, the waning of affect and abolition of critical distance. Then an analysis of the fragmented identity is conducted through the examination of three main characters. Last, the subverted identity is discussed in three aspects: the subverted identity in university, family and hi-tech. The erosion of master narrative combined with the weakening of historicity, the authority is subject to be doubted and challenged. Meanwhile, the identity problems in this film shadow the identification of people nowadays.