Philosophical Theme: Alienation in Society – Martin Buber

In his book, I and Thou, philosopher Martin Buber discusses two modes of human existence, the I-You and I-it. According to Buber, the I-You and I-it are two separate attitudes present in every human being. The I-It is the mode of experiencing things in order to utilize or understand them. In the I-it there is a present boundary between the subject and the object; they do not interact or engage with one another. The I-You is the idea of actively participating in something or engaging in a relationship with another object, instead of merely observing it or knowing it like in the I-It. Buber suggests that humans tend to ignore the I-You mode and focus on the I-it which creates a very individualistic and isolated society. Instead, Buber suggests that humanity should concentrate on the I-You and become more open to encountering relationships with others rather than just the experience and object of the I-It. Actual involvement and relations with others will prompt a genuine investment and fulfillment in life, which remedies the alienation caused by the I-It Mode.

Buber’s theory is demonstrated in The Truman Show through the alienation of Truman Burbank in a communal society. Truman falsely believes he is experiencing sincere relationships with fellow members of the community (I-You), however these “members” are masked performers compensated for their acting on Christof’s reality show. While these actors may appear to be authentic to Truman, it is simply the charade of Juilliard finest students. They just see Truman and his life as a job or experience with no true emotional or sentimental attachments (I-It). This creates a blanket of loneliness and seclusion for Truman and a false sense of fulfillment. In order for Truman to truly achieve a meaningful life, he must be able to generate legitimate relationships with other things and people and have an exchange or interaction with them. This will hopefully be the outcome for Truman when he steps off the set of the disappointing, I-It society in The Truman Show.

Charlotte Gelfand

Character Analysis – Truman Burbank

The tragedy of Truman Burbank’s life is about the only thing real in Christof’s artificial reality show. Truman Burbank, a jovial and easygoing member of Seahaven’s community, is unconsciously living under numerous cameras, an enormous set, paid actors, and in front of an audience of millions of people. Truman’s whole life is a fabrication of reality. The show’s director, Christof, has formulated and molded Truman’s whole life into a series of entertaining episodes focused on the reality of one man’s life since child birth.

Truman has been blissfully ignorant and unaware of the recording devices and even suspicious behavior of his actor wife, who always pauses to introduce a sponsored product to the audience when she goes shopping. Marlon, Truman’s hired “best friend” on the show, describes the project as, “not fake, merely controlled.” And he’s exactly write but it isn’t just the show that’s controlled, it’s Truman himself. Christof, who dubs himself the “creator” acts as an oppressive, dictatorial figure who influences every aspect of Truman’s life all with the click of a button or a command through his headset. Christof’s manipulation of his “star” Truman’s life works negatively against Truman by depriving him of privacy and fooling him into believing he has the freedom to make choices when he’s actually in situations formulated by Christof.

The inability to exist in an authentic life leads to Truman’s experience of the I-It, as philosopher Martin Buber would describe it. The I-It society is a culture of experience rather than that of genuine engagement with objects or people. This draws a parallel to Truman’s life, which is filled with actors he simply “experiences” for TV ratings rather than having real relationships and interactions with actual people. In order to remedy this, Truman must find a way to escape the TV set and enter into an engaged society where he can pursue a satisfied life.

Charlotte Gelfand

“Our lives are unsettling. There’s a quest for the truth, an escape, betrayal, a love story.” – Director, Peter Weir

‘Peter Weir on “The Truman Show” Article by Karen Jaehne

Here is a link to a fascinating article featuring an interview with director, Peter Weir. In this Q&A session, Weir discusses: philosophical elements of his film, illustrates current societal issues similar to those present in the film, how it was working with actors such as Jim Carrey, and more! Click here for some more insight into The Truman Show.

Charlotte Gelfand

‘The Truman Show’ reviewed by famed critics, Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DvUypXtV5M

Charlotte Gelfand

‘Truman Show’ director, Peter Weir discusses his film

Director, Peter Weir, discusses the adaptation of Andrew Niccol’s script, his cast, and Jim Carrey’s transformation from a comedic actor to a more serious one in his film The Truman Show.

Charlotte Gelfand

Truman’s Final Bow

This clip highlights the pivotal scene in The Truman Show when Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) ascends the steps towards actual reality and leaves behind the constraints of his scripted life. This moment marks the first time in Truman’s life where he has the genuine opportunity to choose what he wants to do without the influence or control of creative directors, producers, screen writers, tv corporations, etc. Truman finally “exits the stage” and says, “Good afternoon, good evening and goodnight!” to his old life of distorted realities and oppression.

At the beginning of the scene, Christof attempts to brainwash Truman into believing that he is unable to live independently without the show by telling him that “[he is] afraid” and saying “You can’t leave Truman. You belong here…with me”. Truman disappoints Christof’s expectation of conformity by bowing and exiting the show’s set and entering true reality.

Charlotte Gelfand

Director or Tyrant?

Truman: “Who are you?”

Christof: “I am the Creator…of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions.

Truman: “Then who am I?”

Christof: “You’re the star.”

This pivotal conversation between Truman and Christof, demonstrates the power of rhetoric which enables a tyrant or in this case a “director” to assume full control over a person through a series of persuasive lies. Cristoff responds to Truman’s questions with alluring deceit, suggesting that people depend on The Truman Show for “hope and joy and inspiration” making it seem as though Christof and the creation of the show have positively enhanced the world, when in actuality, the show has effectively robbed the freedom, privacy and life of a man for the sole purpose of entertainment and high tv ratings. Cristoff also incorrectly labels Truman as a “star”, a word that normally implies positive connotations, instead of what he truly is: a hopeless victim of oppression and falsehoods. All Truman is searching for is the truth and is once again provided with misleading answers used to deter him from reality.

Charlotte Gelfand