So I was thinking a bit more about doubling, Madeline/Judy, Midge, and Scottie. Dr. Campbell said in class something to the effect hat Midge is her own woman and doesn’t need anyone to tell her what do to or how to be, while Judy/Madeline seems to ask to be molded. I don’t buy it. Midge presents herself as willing to be molded through the portrait, making herself into a Carlotta of sorts (she still retains some characteristics of herself, but the point is not that part of her remains, but that she is willing to get rid of parts of herself, slowly, not unlike Judy). Maybe I’m reading the scene wrong, maybe there’s some deep sarcasm in Midge that Scottie knows and recognizes while I don’t, but I think the scene shows she’s willing to mold herself into the image Scottie wants, but he won’t accept it. Besides, as we discusses in class, Judy/Madeline both offer themselves up to be molded. Interestingly, they both also resist Scottie’s transforming influence. For Judy, it is the repeated protests and changing yet another part of her outward appearance to be more like Madeline, while Madeline rejects Scottie’s encouragements to free herself from Carlotta’s haunting influence.
Oh! The doubling/tripling thing! Carlotta is essientally three people (four if you count herself): Madeline, Judy, and Midge. Five if you count the way she haunts Scottie, but he never really becomes her, which is the biggest difference I see.