Film Review: "The Pig, The Snake and The Pigeon" (2023):
An Analysis of Chen Guilin's Identity Based on the Communication Theory of Identity
Keywords:
Identity gap, communication theory of identity, chivalrous valuesAbstract
In the 2024 Taiwanese film "The Pig, The Snake, and The Pigeon" (Chinese title: "Zhou Chu Gets Rid of the Three Evils"), the story follows Chen Guilin, a charismatic gang member, who abandons his life of crime to become a celebrated hero in Chinese culture. The film depicts Chen Guilin's complex identity layers and his transformation from a despised gang member to a revered figure of chivalry. The Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) posits that communication is identity and identity is communication, highlighting four identity layers: personal, relational, enacted, and communal. Inconsistencies, tensions, and conflicts within these layers are identified as identity gaps and sources of dynamic identity change. This paper will apply the CTI framework to analyze the character of Chen Guilin. Research shows that the existence and dynamic changes in identity gaps are closely linked to the cultural environment in which the character resides. This study emphasizes the cultural conditions influencing the dynamic nature of identity gaps within the context of Chinese culture, demonstrating both the general applicability and unique characteristics of CTI in such an environment. Distinct aspects of Chinese culture fundamentally shape the presence and disappearance of Chen Guilin's identity gap.
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