Thinking about how philosophy started, there are parallels in The Truman Show between myth and reason. The rationale for the similarities in the film is evident in how Christof has allowed Truman to have a “normal life.” Truman’s reality, the myth in the film, is created, and Christof makes him believe that Seahaven is how the world should be. However, as Truman begins to piece the falsity of his life together, he realizes his life has been a lie. There was someone in control of everything happening in his life. Christof offers false explanations to Truman by saying, “There is no more truth out there than there is in the world I created for you” (Weir, 2019: 1:32:56). The realization and explanation make Truman transition from myth to truth and understanding since he leaves Seahaven.
In the famous Cave analogy, Plato’s understanding of the physical world was founded on the notion that few individuals are chained in life. Therefore, everything they can see is the real object’s shadow on the wall in front of them. In other words, in the eyes of Plato, such subjects lack comprehension of the ultimate reality surrounding them (Scott, 2018). The same concept is employed by Christof, who shows that truth is what is presented to him in Truman’s life. In the dialogue between Truman and Christof, Truman questions his existence. He inquiries from Christof about his life and the truth in it when he asks, “Then who am I?” “Was nothing real?” (Weir, 2019: 1:33:38; 1:32:47). Therefore, like the prisoners emerging from the cave, Truman’s quest was worth it since he discovered nothing true about his life.
Christof, the evil genius, creates an environment that makes Truman think he is living in an actual world. When Truman discovers the truth, he tries to make him stay. Truman overcomes the challenge presented to him by Christof’s explanation of the truth and finds actual knowledge. Despite Christof telling Truman that there are no more truths outside the door than there are within it, Truman’s curiosity makes him leave Seahaven. The decision to leave Seahaven reflects Truman’s referral to Fiji Islands, where he says, “You can’t get any further away before you start coming back. You know that there are still islands there where no human being has ever set foot” (Weir, 2019: 0:10:46). Through this, Truman overcomes the challenge by going after something more than his daily life routine.
Involving any parallels between the film and what has been studied in class, The Truman Show brings out the concept of modern existential crisis. The story in the film makes the reader draw parallels between what is real and what is falsity of what people are made to believe is real. Every aspect of Truman’s life is orchestrated and lives a life he thinks is actual. However, he awakens to the realization that someone has been in control of his life. That distinguishes what he has known from what is.
References
Scott, M. (2018). The Allegory of the Cave. AB Books.
Weir, P. (1998). The Truman Show [Film]. Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia.