# How does Before Adam develop the theme of Duality of Self?

> Before Adam by Jack London

## Answer

Before Adam by Jack London develops Duality of Self across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The protagonist experiences a split personality between his modern waking self and his prehistoric dream self, illustrating the coexistence of ancient instincts within a contemporary human consciousness.

The narrator experiences a split between his waking life and dream life, referring to it as a 'semi-disassociation of personality.'

The narrator explicitly discusses the dual personality of his modern self and his prehistoric ancestor Big-Tooth, experiencing dreams as both actor and spectator.

The narrator reflects on his dual identity as both modern man and primitive Big-Tooth, with inherited memories bridging the two.

## Evidence

- [i](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/before_adam_se/chapters/i.md): The narrator experiences a split between his waking life and dream life, referring to it as a 'semi-disassociation of personality.'
- [xi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/before_adam_se/chapters/xi.md): The narrator explicitly discusses the dual personality of his modern self and his prehistoric ancestor Big-Tooth, experiencing dreams as both actor and spectator.
- [xviii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/before_adam_se/chapters/xviii.md): The narrator reflects on his dual identity as both modern man and primitive Big-Tooth, with inherited memories bridging the two.

## Links

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