Last week, we discussed some of the cool advantages of being a shape-shifter. But what about the potential problems? Today, we'll discuss some of the issues that could arise from transformations.
Danger
Let's say you change your appearance to look like a different person. No one recognizes who you really are now. But what happens if someone mistakes you for another person? This can result in problems, such as being mistaken for a criminal and arrested, or killed by someone who mistook for their worst enemy. Just look at what happened to that one man on 'The Twilight Zone'.
Of course, you could turn into an animal. And then discover that becoming a mouse is a very bad idea when standing in an open field. The last thing you saw were those huge, hooked talons coming at you. Or perhaps you transformed into a bird, only to be shot by a poacher.
 |
| It's a bad time to choose a rat as your disguise. |
Maybe to be on the safe side, you should just be an inanimate object. You turn into a pencil, innocently lying on the table. This goes well... up until a man picks you up and tries to write something. He's struggling terribly, filled with frustration as he tries to find a way to solve his financial ruin. Finally, he gives up. In rage, he crumples up the paper and throws it in the fire, then snaps the pencil in two and flings its broken halves onto the carpet.
But it's not just the form you take that can result in danger. Perhaps someone discovers your shape-shifting abilities, and thinks you're dangerous. "They're dabbling in witchcraft," they tell the others. Soon afterwards, you find angry townspeople at your door.
But it's not just the form you take that can result in danger. Perhaps someone discovers your shape-shifting abilities, and thinks you're dangerous. "They're dabbling in witchcraft," they tell the others. Soon afterwards, you find angry townspeople at your door.
Getting Trapped
As a lizard, you can remain inconspicuous. No one will ever suspect you're there.
Except for the three young boys playing outside, that is. They spot the gecko lounging on a rock, and before you know what's happening, a hand wraps around you and puts you into a shoebox.
"I've got an old fish tank at home we can put him in later." you hear one of them say. "And it has a lid so he won't get out."
You try to run when they open the box, but to no avail. You flail about as you're picked up and placed in your new environment. And if you can't transform into something that will help you escape, you'll be stuck there. Just like Rita Skeeter in 'Harry Potter', at the mercy of her captor.
 |
| Art by Lisa Villella. |
Turning into an object has similar disadvantages. Someone puts a compass into their backpack and zips it up, trapping you there for an indeterminate length of time. And transforming into items poses the question: wouldn't you get bored or stir-crazy after a while? As an inanimate object, you can't do much of anything. If were stuck in that form, or you had to hide for a long period of time, it wouldn't be fun, to say the least.
People Using You
"Hey, it's really hot. Would you mind turning into a fan?"
You've got to find some new friends, you think as you begin blowing air on them. You fantasize about turning into a grizzly bear and tearing them apart.
"And can you oscillate, too?"
You'll rip them limb from limb slowly. You don't want it to be too quick. I mean, last week you were scissors, a box cutter, a mirror, a bird so you could retrieve the frisbee from the roof three times, a hammer so Harold could hang pictures on the wall...
Besides that, you're getting sick and tired of the police chief assigning you to the most difficult and dangerous tasks, as if thinks you're invulnerable and indefatigable. Yesterday, you were so tired you could barely concentrate on your disguise. You almost wound up as a dog with a human head. A human head with dark bags beneath bloodshot eyes.
Loss of Identity
You can be anyone, anything. You could look like a totally different person, or stay in animal form for a long time. But what happens when you spend so much time in another form, you start to lose sight of who you really are? You start to have an identity crisis, don't feel comfortable in your own skin. And what if you weren't able to shift back, because you forgot what you originally looked like?
Consider also the awkwardness that can arise from people not knowing you. In the 'Harry Potter' series, some of the characters had to transform in order to sneak into the Ministry of Magic. It was difficult when Mr Weasley looked at Ron with great distaste, unaware that it was his son and not an unpleasant coworker. Imagine if you had to work undercover for a long period of time, pretending to be a villain, especially if you were disguised as a particular person. You would have to maintain this façade, which could be difficult at times. Natalie Kent is a great snake lover, and your skin crawls when those creepy serpents start slithering over your shoulders. And how can you pretend to be evil when an innocent person is screaming and pleading for mercy?
Awkwardness
For our heroes in the 'Harry Potter' series, there was also the problem of being asked for things they don't know how to do, and solving the issues of the people they're pretending to be. Or a stranger kissing one of them, thinking it's her husband.
Besides that, imagine the awkwardness of someone not realizing you're there. Sure, if you're on an undercover mission, pretending to be one of the evil Empress's cats can prevent her knowing there's a spy seeking to discover her next mission. On the other hand, it's an uncomfortable situation when you wait in her room, expecting her to appear with some incriminating evidence about her battle plans—only for her husband to come in and start undressing for bed. You suddenly wish you had transformed into a blind cat.
You can be anyone, anything. You could look like a totally different person, or stay in animal form for a long time. But what happens when you spend so much time in another form, you start to lose sight of who you really are? You start to have an identity crisis, don't feel comfortable in your own skin. And what if you weren't able to shift back, because you forgot what you originally looked like?
Consider also the awkwardness that can arise from people not knowing you. In the 'Harry Potter' series, some of the characters had to transform in order to sneak into the Ministry of Magic. It was difficult when Mr Weasley looked at Ron with great distaste, unaware that it was his son and not an unpleasant coworker. Imagine if you had to work undercover for a long period of time, pretending to be a villain, especially if you were disguised as a particular person. You would have to maintain this façade, which could be difficult at times. Natalie Kent is a great snake lover, and your skin crawls when those creepy serpents start slithering over your shoulders. And how can you pretend to be evil when an innocent person is screaming and pleading for mercy?
Awkwardness
For our heroes in the 'Harry Potter' series, there was also the problem of being asked for things they don't know how to do, and solving the issues of the people they're pretending to be. Or a stranger kissing one of them, thinking it's her husband.
Besides that, imagine the awkwardness of someone not realizing you're there. Sure, if you're on an undercover mission, pretending to be one of the evil Empress's cats can prevent her knowing there's a spy seeking to discover her next mission. On the other hand, it's an uncomfortable situation when you wait in her room, expecting her to appear with some incriminating evidence about her battle plans—only for her husband to come in and start undressing for bed. You suddenly wish you had transformed into a blind cat.
 |
| "I did not want to see that." |
Being a shape-shifter is cool, definitely, but it's not all perfect either. Just like most other things, it has its potential advantages and disadvantages. In the end, it depends on the situation, and how you use your ability.
No comments:
Post a Comment