Shinji: I have no value without [the Eva]. 

My life is worthless without it. 

Then, what am I? What am I? 

This is… Me! This is the shape that lets others recognize me as myself. It is my symbol for my Self. This is a representation. Everything is a description, not my real Self. Everything’s a shape, an identifier to let others recognize me as me. But then, what am I? Is this me? My true Self? My fake Self?

Rei: You are you. There is little difference between how you interpret yourself and how others interpret you.

Shinji: Right. My clothes… My shoes… My room… These all are parts of what makes up my Self. These things are connected through your consciousness. 

So, what I think is me, is me. What I recognize as Self is myself. 

But I don’t understand myself.

{from Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 26}