# The Doppelgänger and Stolen Identity in Metropolis

> Theme guide for Metropolis by Thea von Harbou.

The inventor Rotwang creates a robotic double of Maria, stealing her 'ego' to manipulate the workers. This theme explores the loss of self, the power of imitation, and how a false image can be used to incite chaos and serve the ruling class's agenda.

## Where it surfaces

- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/viii): Rotwang's creation of a mechanical Maria with an almost completed head introduces the theme of a doppelgänger, and the deceptive voice in the house mimics Maria's identity.
- [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/x): The Whore of Babylon in Freder's dream bears the features of Maria, whom he loves, suggesting a dark doppelgänger that corrupts her image and foreshadows the theme of stolen identity.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiii): Rotwang reveals he has stolen Maria's ego and created a duplicate to deceive the workers.
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xxi): Rotwang's creation, the false Maria, is being burned, highlighting the theme of artificial identity and the original's replacement.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/themes/the_doppelganger_and_identity
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metropolis_se/themes