How did Cobb recognize he was dreaming the first time he and Mal went to Limbo?

How did Cobb recognize he was dreaming the first time he and Mal went to Limbo? - Photo of Sleeping Man

In the movie Inception, we know it's not posible to know what was Cobb's totem (by this question). However, we know that he planted in Mal's mind the idea that the Limbo was not real, and that's why they commited suicide and returned to "real life".

How did he remember that Limbo wasn't real? Shouldn't he have suffered the same effects that distored Mal's mind? Is this ever explained in the movie?



Best Answer

(Bluemoon has this spot on)

When Mal and Cobb both 'washed up on the shore' of their own unconscious, they were both aware that they were in limbo, which allowed them to 'act like Gods' and build their own world.

As the years went on, Mal decided to reject the unreality of their situation by locking her totem away in the deepest and most secret place possible (the house that she had grown up in). This led to Mal forgetting that they were in limbo, while Cobb remained aware of where they were, leading to his rejection of this artificial world and his inception of Mal, ultimately leading to her rejection of not only the world they had created, but reality as a whole even after they woke back up.




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How did Cobb recognize he was dreaming the first time he and Mal went to Limbo? - Girl Sleeping Soundly
How did Cobb recognize he was dreaming the first time he and Mal went to Limbo? - Girl Sleeping
How did Cobb recognize he was dreaming the first time he and Mal went to Limbo? - Girl Lying on Bed Looking At An Open Lighted Box



How did Cobb know he was in Limbo with Mal?

When Mal and Cobb both 'washed up on the shore' of their own unconscious, they were both aware that they were in limbo, which allowed them to 'act like Gods' and build their own world.

Why does Cobb keep seeing Mal in his dreams what does she represent?

Mal is a subconscious representation of Cobb's wife. He has no control over her at all. She is an aspect of his own psyche. I would say that Mal is sabotaging Cobb's team because she is a representation of his failure and guilt over his actions leading to his actual wife's suicide.

How did Cobb get out of Limbo the first time?

You're no longer dreaming in any "level" of dream, because you're not sleeping. You're in a coma. This is how Cobb and Saito are able to get out of Limbo without needing any other kicks. When Cobb spins the top in the safe, that by itself is the simple act of inception on Mal's subconscious.



The Inception Mystery CONCLUDED! (Inception: Part 2) [Theory]




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Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Artem Podrez, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio