The Talented Mr Ripley Analysis

Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, Tom Ripley is the main character and this story revolves around his adventure. Analyzing the story, Ripley imitates somebody to change his own personality to avoid his shameful and unwanted past so that he does not return. This is an attempt to steal a new personality, where he is more successful and affluent, such as his friend Dickie Greenleaf. Ripley feels the need to mimic people because he has the need to escape from his actual life and identify as someone normal and wealthy to reap the benefits. Konnikova, a reputable psychologist points out that clever sociopaths will do what it with no regret or blame to get what they need, to con and trick their casualties. They encounter a lack of concern while going about in their lives, driving them to con artistry. …show more content…
Konnikova uncovers how these con artists are so effective in their schemes, because having no emotions allowed them to lie easily and act honest to gain the upper hand. This is evident when Ripley is confronted on the phone by a police officer. He is able to use two separate voices to con the police officer into thinking that the two people are still alive. Moreover, he is able to copy Greenleaf's handwriting, facial expressions, and style., while somebody like us would find it troubling and difficult to mimic someone as well as con artists. Ripley, however, uses this skill to create a new life for him, he begins to see himself in Greenleaf's life, meaning, he feels a sense of freedom he never had as Ripley. As a result, Ripley sees how comfortable he is when impersonating someone other than himself, which causes him to feel more connected to the world then he would have as