Secret Identity

A secret identity is an element of fiction wherein a character, especially hero, develops a separate persona (usually adopting a pseudonym), while keeping their true identity hidden. To help to facilitate this, they may also apply makeup or wear a disguise (which may range from eyeglasses or a mask, to a complete costume). They may also have several types of secret identities simultaneously (such as adopted names, pen names, undercover identities, and crime fighting codenames).

Purpose
The artistic purpose of the secret identity on the part of the writers is that it allows the characters to have ordinary lives, which can allow for human drama as well as create tension with the effort needed to preserve the secret. This can include challenges such as throwing off the suspicions of associates who suspect, and the need to quickly improvise means to get out of sight to change identities. And superhuman characters may benefit from an everyman aspect through having a secret identity, giving them a sympathetic link to their audience. For example, Captain Marvel's secret identity is a boy named Billy Batson - a deliberate attempt to play on the daydreams of a young readership.[citation needed]

Sometimes the distinction as to which persona is the "real one" may be blurred or confused, as has sometimes been the case with Clark Kent and Superman. For example, in the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,[1] after Lois Lane learns that Superman is Clark Kent, he discusses his dual identity with her. "Clark Kent is not a disguise. Clark is who I am, while Superman is what I do." In a similar vein, it has also been suggested that Bruce Wayne is "the mask" that Batman wears, meaning that Batman is the true persona, hidden by his public image.

Some common motivations for a character to choose to have a secret identity include:


 * Allowing the character to live a "normal life" when not fighting crime.

Preventing the hero's enemies from seeking revenge on others the hero may care about.

Giving the hero an advantage in crime fighting (e.g. Batman or The Shadow striking fear into criminals).

Gaining timely information on incidents as they happen, often through their occupation or that of their associates (e.g. a reporter or a newscaster would likely be more informed about incidents that a hero might be able to help with).

Aliens, upon coming to Earth, may choose to set up one or more secret identities as a learning tool. By pretending to be humans, they can explore the different roles and lives that a regular human is expected to have in his/her or her life and using their deeper understanding of human condition to help others.

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