It's a Love Story

“Walk around in those Nikes until you feel like going for a run. Dress for the job you want. I was an actress for a big chunk of my adolescence, so you could say I am an expert in harnessing the power of imagination to get yourself where you want to be.”

Jane Jackson’s philosophy about self-presentation reveals her fear of authenticity. She believes that if she presents a strong, confident version of herself to the world, people will believe this is who she is. However, curating her exterior with such obsessive precision is a defense mechanism Jane learned in childhood via her acting experiences. As an actress, she donned a costume and read from a script, hiding her true self from the world to satisfy others’ expectations of her. Reconciling these competing identities is a primary aspect of Jane’s personal growth journey.

“I just want to be taken seriously for once, and preferably in the world I was raised in. I can’t bear the thought of being part of the next round of layoffs, sent home with a cardboard box and a pity smile. I want Hollywood to give me a hug or a gold star, or at least a better table at the Ivy.”

Jane’s determination to produce True Story is a symptom of her longing to be seen, accepted, and loved. She feels insecure about her lack of artistic success because she’s developed a habit of comparing herself to her colleagues in the industry. This passage conveys her fears while establishing the stakes of Jane’s vocational journey: to do work that establishes her name in the industry and validates her identity. The references to “a hug” and “a gold star” conjure notions of childhood approval. Jane didn’t receive this affirmation in her youth and is still searching for it as an adult.