pg15
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"Since beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light."
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Post by pg15 on Mar 18, 2008 0:18:43 GMT -5
I disagree. "Coming of age" is really misleading, because I don't think it has anything to do with physical age, but rather mental age, or the "state of mind", as it were. If Aang is able to fullfill his destiny, then he's mentally "grown up".
I also don't buy into the "relating" thing. Are you saying that all fantasy/sci-fi coming of age stories are thus not so just because the protagonist's rite of the passage is frequently out of this world? I don't think so.
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melloyello
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Beware the Chittering Monkey
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Post by melloyello on Mar 18, 2008 14:54:00 GMT -5
I've looked for a definition of the term coming of age, as it applies in literature. This is what I came up with:
Coming-of-age story: A type of novel where the protagonist is initiated into adulthood through knowledge, experience, or both, often by a process of disillusionment. Understanding comes after the dropping of preconceptions, a destruction of a false sense of security, or in some way the loss of innocence.
The above definition is how I would define a coming of age tale. When I say I don't think ATLA is a coming of age story, this is what I am pointing to as my standard. Of course, if your definition of a coming of age tale differs, then our opinions regarding ALTA would differ as well.I realize that this is probably not the definitive definition for the term, but I'm using it so you know where I'm coming from.
Essentially, Aang is unable to emotionally/mentally/physically mature significantly during the series, because of the short period of time given. Some may argue that his harrowing experiences could cause him to mature (emotionally, not physically) at an incredibly accelerated pace, thus making this an unusual coming of age tale.
For Aang to have matured mentally or emotionally, there needs to be some moment or event in which it is obvious that Aang 'got it'. This is the point of understanding described in the definition. I personally don't think we have seen that moment yet in the series, and from what I have read, I believe I am right in assuming that you feel that moment will occur in the finale. (Correct me if I'm wrong, of course.)
My problem with this is that this point of understanding would typically occur after the dropping of preconceptions, the loss of security, or the loss of innocence, to paraphrase the definition above. The writers, in dramatizing Aang's character, have already put him through so many experiences that have caused him to deal with all three of those traumas.
So, to keep Aang realistic as a character, he should have had his moment of understanding already. Otherwise, what impact did Azula shooting him have? Or the fall of Ba Sing Se? The loss of his friends & his culture? If Aang is expected to mature beyond the normal capability of a 12 year old through trauma (a sort of trial by fire thing), then what more can happen to him in the finale that would make his sudden moment of understanding believable?
Obviously, if Aang has this important moment where he understands and embraces his destiny in the finale, then I would have to say that you're right and that ATLA was intended as a coming of age tale. I just think that if that's a major focus of the show, then they would've presented things differently.
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pg15
Avatar Roku
"Since beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light."
Posts: 1,248
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Post by pg15 on Mar 18, 2008 20:27:43 GMT -5
For Aang to have matured mentally or emotionally, there needs to be some moment or event in which it is obvious that Aang 'got it'. This is the point of understanding described in the definition. I personally don't think we have seen that moment yet in the series, and from what I have read, I believe I am right in assuming that you feel that moment will occur in the finale. (Correct me if I'm wrong, of course.) That is what I think will happen, yes. I'll cut out of the rest since it all depends on what happens in the finale. Suffice it to say, I think, just because we saw him facing all of these bad things, they weren't enough to break him, just yet. My own Kataangy thoughts say that that will happen if and when Katara gets in DEEP trouble. In my mind, Aang found out about all those bad things, and had those other bad things happen to him, all while being in the company of Katara. She is his strongest bond to sanity at the moment, and if something happens there, bad things are going to go down. Just my thoughts.
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melloyello
Appa
Beware the Chittering Monkey
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Post by melloyello on Mar 20, 2008 17:01:17 GMT -5
Sorry for the late reply (part of my ongoing love/hate relationship with my wireless network ). Anyway, I'm not a huge shipping fan, but I would probably be ok with the scenario you described. To make Katara's disappearance a more tragic event than what he has already experienced, they would need to really emphasize the importance Katara has to Aang (perhaps by a flashback to the love chakra?), so that viewers (kataangers & non kataangers alike) realize just how painful the experience is for Aang. In the end, as long as we see that pivotal moment were Aang realizes the importance of his role in society, and it's believable, then I'm satisfied. What I want to be sure of at the end of the series is that Aang is capable of maintaining peace and order throughout the four nations, so that the happy, peaceful ending seems plausible.
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Post by avatarjanicki on May 27, 2008 17:59:17 GMT -5
Has everyone else noticed that all the houses or the air temple itself seemed to be mostly upsidedown? that was kind of weird loved the statue of the airbender before aang, she can be clearly seen all the time
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asian malaysian
Avatar Kyoshi
Let me hear you say this ship is bananas! B-A-NA-N-A-S!
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Post by asian malaysian on Jul 1, 2008 21:37:10 GMT -5
Although it looked nice, it made no sense whatsoever that the roofs were upside down.
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fuego
Pabu
Four Nation Health Care
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Post by fuego on Jul 14, 2008 18:04:48 GMT -5
I have a question
Dose the discussion continue here ?
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asian malaysian
Avatar Kyoshi
Let me hear you say this ship is bananas! B-A-NA-N-A-S!
Posts: 1,308
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Post by asian malaysian on Jul 14, 2008 19:01:13 GMT -5
^ um...dont quite get your question, fuego. I suppose if you have anything to discuss about the Western Air Temple Epsode, this is the place for it.
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jillrg
Avatar Korra
By Fialleril at LJ
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Post by jillrg on Jul 14, 2008 19:01:15 GMT -5
Why am I so excited about tonight? I've seen this already, and I feel as high-strung as the night CoD premiered.
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asian malaysian
Avatar Kyoshi
Let me hear you say this ship is bananas! B-A-NA-N-A-S!
Posts: 1,308
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Post by asian malaysian on Jul 14, 2008 19:03:54 GMT -5
^Hey, it officially marks the begining of the Avatar Week. By the time it reaches my shores, Id have watched Sozin's Comet but darned if Im not going to watch it again anyway just for theheck of it.
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fuego
Pabu
Four Nation Health Care
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Post by fuego on Jul 14, 2008 19:10:30 GMT -5
Well I quess the discussions happen here and it seem like me, alot of worry about confrontation
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jillrg
Avatar Korra
By Fialleril at LJ
Posts: 1,067
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Post by jillrg on Jul 14, 2008 19:10:55 GMT -5
All I know is, I've seen it a million times, ahve the script memorized, but I was going so stir crazy as it started, I don't want to think about what my poor roommate thought when she walked in on me.
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Post by ~*Tea Sage*~ on Jul 14, 2008 19:35:41 GMT -5
haha I'm so happy I got watch this on TV, its 1000x better watching it on the computer, I literally spazzed out. And that commerical, that just got me pumped!!!
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Post by spiritmage234 on Jul 14, 2008 19:40:03 GMT -5
Finally! After nearly seven months! I stay true to the orginal U.S. airdates. Well this was a ground-breaking episode. At first I thought that the Gaang was a little harsh on Zuko, but considering what has happened in the past couple of months - from their angle - I'd probably do the same. But I'm glad that they accepted him for the most part. He and Katara are going to have some rough points (not speaking Zutara-wise)... But I believe in you Zuko!! <3 I'm surprised they didn't have many shots of the newer members of the Gaang: Haru, The Duck, and Teo. But whaddya gonna do? They're secondary characters. And I know it's character development, but I'm starting to like Katara a lot less.
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Post by ~*Tea Sage*~ on Jul 14, 2008 19:44:35 GMT -5
I don't know SM, I kind of wish the secondary character were given a little bit of love, maybe join in a little bit of the action........get haru to shave his fugly mustache...lol..I'll only accept it if he pulls his hair back, and always have a rose in his mouth.
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