The Intention Of Ideas In Charlie Kaufman's

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Charlie’s fantasies, sequences of masturbation, and subsequent interactions with Donald encapsulate his artistic process, as they draw a connection between his “solipsistic” writing — which only he enjoys — and physically pleasing himself. Charlie alternates between two mindsets: one of self loathing, characterized by counterproductive anxiety attacks, and one of orgstic fantasy, in which creativity floods from his mind. Donald — essentially a reflection of Kaufman’s* less contemptuous side and a symbol of reality — often appears during the latter, emphasizing the distinction between actuality and fantasy. For instance, Donald interrupts Charlie’s erotic dream about a waitress he met earlier, wrenching Charlie from this chimera. Jonze accentuates Charlie’s emotions by quickly changing a euphoric, high-key lighting into a dingy, low-key setup. Comparatively, a similar sequence shows the ecstatic screenwriter experience an outpour of ideas, almost screaming into his recorder: “We open on Charlie Kaufman.” After realizing that he placed himself into a piece which does not involve him, he cycles into a panic, where he remarks, “I’ve written myself into my screenplay … [i]t’s self indulgent [and] narcissistic.” Jonze hints at Charlie’s previous masturbation sequence, as they both shifts from high-key to low-key lighting. …show more content…

Additionally, Kaufman’s* inclusion of Ouroboros underlines this key concept of self-pleasure. As Ouroboros eats its own tail, it enjoys the sensation of feeding; what it fails to recognize, however, is the fatal nature of its actions. Charlie remarks, “I’m Ouroboros,” highlighting how his screenwriting and masturbation are both detrimental, and emphasizing their

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