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The Power of Changing Perspectives
Intro
In the Disney-Pixar animation, “Ratatouille”, the film’s famous critic, aptly named “Ego”, walks into the film’s French restaurant “Gusteau’s”, and demands to be served “a little perspective” — “do you have a good wine to go with that?”. Confused, the waiter rushes back to the kitchen asking what to serve.
In life, we all crave new perspectives and experiences, yet oftentimes, feel stuck in the status quo or trapped in the never-ending chase for new pleasures or experiences. However, it is possible (and quite important) to enjoy the present experience in a refreshed way by gaining a new perspective.
People often adopt a “suit of armor” — a personality, archetype or sense of self that we’ve developed as our own at an early age. It might be difficult to “escape” this suit of armor as time progresses. However, recognizing one’s patterns of behaviors, and the potential reasons behind them, is the first step to change. In doing so, one can look at life with a different view and better understand how they became the person they are today, and change who they are tomorrow.
Shifting perspectives in Ratatouille
In the film Ratatouille, the critic is named “Ego”. A pun on the ego of critics, but it also shows that his experiences and perspective are centered around him — “locked” inside his own perspective. However, when he’s able to shift his current understanding of food, he’s able to gain a new sense of self and thus change his perspective.
When “little chef”, Remy the Rat intuitively decides to serve Ratatouille as the dish for Ego, the other chef is confused. “Ratatouille, it’s a peasant’s dish, are you sure?”
Upon serving the dish to Ego, he himself is confused. However, upon taking a single bite, he is immediately transported to a scene from his youth. He had just fallen off his bicycle and was hurt. His mother made him a bowl of ratatouille, healing and lifting young Ego’s spirits. A single taste reminded him of his past, and thus reset his perspective and judgments. It allowed him to connect to his past, and where…
