Post by astroanna on Nov 30, 2007 21:03:54 GMT -5
Since Book 1, Chapter 1, Aang has been on the hero's quest, but what that has meant for him and for the world has changed from season to season. I'm going to focus on the symbolism associated with this hero's quest (both Aang's and Zuko's) and use it to make a few predictions for the second half of seaon 3.
In the beginning of the story, Aang knows that he is the avatar and his hero's quest consists of accepting that and accepting that he made a mistake in running away but that the world needs him in the present. Once Avatar Roku tells him of Sozin's comet, however, his mission goes from one of self acceptance to one of performing a specific task; namely stopping the fire lord before the arrival of Sozin's comet. Once the Gaang learns of the Day of Black Sun, the mission changes to invasion of the fire nation on the day of the eclipse. After the battle in Day of Black Sun parts 1 and 2, the mission changes yet again. Now the stakes are higher than ever, because the comet is still coming and now the Gaang must save not only the rest of the world, but their closest friends. So where does the symbolism come in? My prediction as far as the Gaang goes is that Aang (not surprisingly) will be victorious. But he will be victorious on a very specific day; the autumnal equinox. I predict this is the day of Sozin's comet and Aang's ulitmate victory and redemption. Symbolically it is the perfect way to end this series. Let me elaborate....
The four elements are air, fire, water and air. Each bender (except the Avatar) can bend one of these elements and different characters are also associated with different elements. This much everyone knows. What may not be common knowledge is that each element is also associated with a season of the year. Water is winter, and so season 1 took place during the winter. Earth is associated with regeneration and thus, spring, so season 2 took place during the spring. Fire is associated with the summer, and so season 3 is taking place during the summer. The Day of Black Sun was during the height of the summer, and so the fire nation's victory that day was symbolically appropriate. The autumnal equinox, then, is the symbolic end to the time of fire (and firebenders) and the beginning of the season of air, Aang's element. So you see, the timing is such that Aang is literally destined to defeat Ozai. One more symbolic piece to this puzzle (which admittedly may not have been purposeful) but the time from when Aang was discovered in the iceberg to the autumnal equinox of the next year is about 9 months, the length of human gestation.
Moving on to Zuko's hero quest. He's always been on a hero's quest, but it has been much more complicated than Aang's and he has strayed from his path much further than Aang has. There were times when I wanted Zuko to suffer even more than he had for his betrayal of Iroh. The writers, though, took a different and much more interesting path for him. Instead of miring him in pain, they let him have exactly what he had been claiming to want since Book 1, chapter 1. They took the tack of "be careful what you wish for", and I find that fascinating. Once he had what he wanted, he realized that the life he had before his banishment wasn't his anymore. He has become a different person, and that realization has put him back onto his destined path. His one and only option now after the Day of Black Sun is to show Aang true humility and place himself totally at Aang's mercy. My prediction is that Zuko will (very literally) fall to his knees before Aang and, as he was willing to do before his uncle, beg his forgiveness. Once Zuko joins the group, moreover, the four elements will all be represented in the Gaang; completing the symbolic circle.
I could go on and on about the symbolism of this show, but I think I'll leave it there and let you guys discuss...be back with more later!
In the beginning of the story, Aang knows that he is the avatar and his hero's quest consists of accepting that and accepting that he made a mistake in running away but that the world needs him in the present. Once Avatar Roku tells him of Sozin's comet, however, his mission goes from one of self acceptance to one of performing a specific task; namely stopping the fire lord before the arrival of Sozin's comet. Once the Gaang learns of the Day of Black Sun, the mission changes to invasion of the fire nation on the day of the eclipse. After the battle in Day of Black Sun parts 1 and 2, the mission changes yet again. Now the stakes are higher than ever, because the comet is still coming and now the Gaang must save not only the rest of the world, but their closest friends. So where does the symbolism come in? My prediction as far as the Gaang goes is that Aang (not surprisingly) will be victorious. But he will be victorious on a very specific day; the autumnal equinox. I predict this is the day of Sozin's comet and Aang's ulitmate victory and redemption. Symbolically it is the perfect way to end this series. Let me elaborate....
The four elements are air, fire, water and air. Each bender (except the Avatar) can bend one of these elements and different characters are also associated with different elements. This much everyone knows. What may not be common knowledge is that each element is also associated with a season of the year. Water is winter, and so season 1 took place during the winter. Earth is associated with regeneration and thus, spring, so season 2 took place during the spring. Fire is associated with the summer, and so season 3 is taking place during the summer. The Day of Black Sun was during the height of the summer, and so the fire nation's victory that day was symbolically appropriate. The autumnal equinox, then, is the symbolic end to the time of fire (and firebenders) and the beginning of the season of air, Aang's element. So you see, the timing is such that Aang is literally destined to defeat Ozai. One more symbolic piece to this puzzle (which admittedly may not have been purposeful) but the time from when Aang was discovered in the iceberg to the autumnal equinox of the next year is about 9 months, the length of human gestation.
Moving on to Zuko's hero quest. He's always been on a hero's quest, but it has been much more complicated than Aang's and he has strayed from his path much further than Aang has. There were times when I wanted Zuko to suffer even more than he had for his betrayal of Iroh. The writers, though, took a different and much more interesting path for him. Instead of miring him in pain, they let him have exactly what he had been claiming to want since Book 1, chapter 1. They took the tack of "be careful what you wish for", and I find that fascinating. Once he had what he wanted, he realized that the life he had before his banishment wasn't his anymore. He has become a different person, and that realization has put him back onto his destined path. His one and only option now after the Day of Black Sun is to show Aang true humility and place himself totally at Aang's mercy. My prediction is that Zuko will (very literally) fall to his knees before Aang and, as he was willing to do before his uncle, beg his forgiveness. Once Zuko joins the group, moreover, the four elements will all be represented in the Gaang; completing the symbolic circle.
I could go on and on about the symbolism of this show, but I think I'll leave it there and let you guys discuss...be back with more later!