Azula As The Ophelia Of The Avatarverse (Warning: Possible Mention Of Self-harm And/or Suicide)

Azula as the Ophelia of the Avatarverse (Warning: possible mention of self-harm and/or suicide)

If I had to compare Azula to a well-known literary character, it’d be Ophelia from Hamlet. It might seem weird to some people to read that. On the surface of the narrative, Ophelia is very much a passive victim, and Azula would set you on fire if you ever described her that way.

The worst thing to call somebody is crazy. It’s dismissive. “I don’t understand this person. So they’re crazy.” That’s bullshit. These people are not crazy. They strong people. Maybe their environment is a little sick. (source)

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. (source)

Banishing me was they best thing you did for my life. It put me on the right path. (source)

Nevertheless, there are strong parallels between the two in that they’re both teenaged girls whose mental deterioration is directly connected to their toxic environments and the failure of the adults in their lives to intervene before a major mental health crisis.

Even so, most analysis of these characters take a more individualistic approach, aiming to understand what’s wrong with Azula or Ophelia instead of examining the conditions that lead to the outcomes of these characters. In essence, they ask, “What is her problem?” when a more fruitful question might be, “What’s going on that allows this to happen?”

When Ophelia appears onstage in Act IV, scene V, singing little songs and handing out imaginary flowers, she temporarily upsets the entire power dynamic of the Elsinore court. When I picture that scene, I always imagine Gertrude, Claudius, Laertes, and Horatio sharing a stunned look, all of them thinking the same thing: “We fucked up. We fucked up bad.” It might be the only moment of group self-awareness in the whole play. Not even the grossest old Victorian dinosaur of a critic tries to pretend that Ophelia is making a big deal out of nothing. Her madness and death is plainly the direct result of the alternating tyranny and neglect of the men in her life. She’s proof that adolescent girls don’t just go out of their minds for the fun of it. They’re driven there by people in their lives who should have known better. (source)

You could argue that Ophelia’s fate is a consequence of the rottenness in Denmark. Thus, her decline and death can be read as an indictment of the court at Elsinore. Ophelia clearly needed help from the moment she found out Hamlet killed her father. But where was everyone? What were they doing? Why didn’t someone say or do something?

The same thing can be said about Azula. What befalls Azula at the end of the show is a direct result of the corruption of Fire Nation society. That moment by the bonfire in “The Beach” was a cry for help, but why did no one see it for what it was? Why did no one even attempt to help? Where were the grownups who could have stepped in? True, it would’ve been tricky considering her disposition and social status, but not impossible.

More importantly, what does all of this say about the societies that Ophelia and Azula live in? What’s going on in a society where people so clearly in need of help aren’t getting it? What does that say about who that society deems indispensable and who it deems disposable?

How are we encouraged by the narrative and by audience reactions to notice Ophelia’s vulnerability but not Azula’s? How does this reflect our society’s attitudes towards teenaged girls who are mentally ill? What are some things we can do differently to push back against those attitudes?

More Posts from Theavatarthatdies and Others

1 year ago

if you take out all the murder, the ending of assassination classroom is reflected in any student-teacher bond. no matter how close they become, there is always a ticking clock on the relationship. you only get one year with that teacher, with that class. the end of the year may as well be the end of the world. everything the students learn brings them closer to the point when they can leave the teacher behind. after graduation, the students will move on to their futures, armed with all the knowledge they've gained, but the teacher can't come with them.

there's a reason every episode's title has the word "time" in it. because the whole show is about the time class e gets to spend together, and the titles are a constant reminder that that time is limited.

the assassination of koro-sensei is class e's graduation. from that moment forward, the teacher, the class, and middle school itself, are no longer a part of their lives. it would seem the message is that nothing lasts forever. the sakura blossoms always fall, children always grow up, and the fun times always end.


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1 year ago

thinking about geto who spared one woman from the village cause the girls begged him to since she was the one that secretly took care of them

now he lives in a constant state of controversy where he preaches an anti-non-sorcerer world during the day but makes love to one during the night

he might even wake up at dawn, with you peacefully sleeping, and think how easily would be to kill you, should he slit your throat? drown you in the bathtub? choke you to death?

his hand crawl to your neck, so delicate, so breakable… he could just tell mimiko and nanako it was an accident, you were attacked by someone, by another monkey

but then you take his hand from your throat and kiss his palm, unaware of the murderous thoughts in his head and he gives in to your love, laying back in bed and letting you pepper his body with sweet innocent kisses

2 years ago

Growing pains

Grief. The intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death. No one really prepares you for the mourning of friends. Friends that are still well and alive but aren’t with you. The death of friendships you held so close to heart that you feel a rip in your soul as they pass away. This heartbreak is almost irreparable compared to the fleeting emotions of unrequited love or suppressed depression ; it consumes you in a dark hole of intense loneliness and desperate failure. 

I’ve always been envious of people who lived in the time of no technology - a time when passing conversations was enough to connect you: a time where you greet a friend so casually having not seen them for a decade. What happens when  old friends meet each other? Did they mutter awkward greetings or welcome each other with soft affection? Or do they simply walk past each other like strangers despite their shared history?


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2 years ago

the art is *chef's kiss*

Whatchu gonna do? Stab me? :D

Whatchu Gonna Do? Stab Me? :D
Whatchu Gonna Do? Stab Me? :D

You: Why are there two different dates on this single comic?

Me: Hehe... Draw at 11:00PM on 11/2, then finish at 2:00AM on 11/3. :D

Edit: Eyo? 69 notes? *wiggles eyebrows intensively* :3

Edit: Oof and YAY! *Inserts megamind meme* No more 69? :/

1 year ago

Girlfriend — Yuuta Okkotsu x Reader

 Girlfriend — Yuuta Okkotsu X Reader
 Girlfriend — Yuuta Okkotsu X Reader
 Girlfriend — Yuuta Okkotsu X Reader

You found yourself sitting at the edge of a building. You took a small box and opened it, revealing the several cigarettes sticks inside. You pulled one out of its box as you push it in between your lips. The Tokyo city lights were amazing from above, though you had seen this view many times before. Maybe you’re getting high with yourself without even noticing. A low chuckle escaped your lips as you figured so.

Your ears immediately perked up once you heard footsteps from behind, “…relax, it’s just me” a gentle voice crept out as a tall figure appeared from the dark, Yuuta Okkotsu.

The special graded sorcerer had always something to do with you and it was always something about love. Maybe it was just you trying to deny it. You’d had sex for a few times, went on dates and even had shared the same apartment before.

But you guys were not a thing.

He was a jujutsu sorcerer and worse he was the student under Gojo’s wing. And you? You were a puppet of Kenjaku in fact you know everything little things he had done including him pulling a trick on Itadori’s dad.

Maybe that was one of the reasons why you always had not been accepting his and your feelings to get in the way.

“Are you not going to say anything?” You said firmly, staring at the guy that just settled down next to you without a word. “no, not yet.” he smiled, a genuine one. you scoffed, “the fuck you mean no? I did not come here for nothing.”

Silence fell between you both before Okkotsu turnt to look at you. “I actually..don’t want to seem like I’m using you.” he said as he stared at you flick the cigarettes with your fingers. “Use me? Then what do you wanna do? Propose me? Don’t be an id-”

“Yes..yes. I want to make us an official thing. I want to make you an official thing.” he said, almost seemed like whispering.

At the moment, his face was too close to yours. You can feel his hot breaths against your cheeks, slightly making you feel things you had never experienced before. A rush of blood flowed through your cheeks which caused Okkotsu to laugh.

“Are you seriously blushing at this? c’mon it’s not like we have not even slept together bef-”

“Will you shut up already? Your voice is so loud that people on the ground might even hear.” you said, trying not to break a smile as you push him away.

You loved these kinds of moments. Moments that cannot be shared with anyone. You knew he was serious about his previous commitment yet you were not convinced you agreed too.

“..I just don’t want you to get executed once they found out.” you exhaled before your hands worked their way for another cigarette as it stopped its track once Okkotsu stopped your hand.

He looked at you sincerely, “they won’t find out.. I’m really tired of staying as strangers and you know how much I would like to hold your hand without feeling guilty.” He said before rubbing his palm against the back of your hand gently. He grabbed your soft hand and placed it on his lips, giving it a peck on the veins.

your heart softened at the sight, his face illuminated by the city lights, featuring every details perfectly. His hair messily falling off to his forehead. he was indeed handsome though it may take sometime to actually admit it.

“I promise they won’t. I don’t care if they do, I only need a world with you and me in it.” He grinned as he crooked his head in your neck.

you laughed at his words, “do you even know who you are talking to right now?”

“my girlfriend — obviously.”

“You’re such a hard headed guy.” You smiled softly while rubbing his skull. Though your brain told you to stop your actions, your heart convinced you to trust his words.

And you did.

 Girlfriend — Yuuta Okkotsu X Reader

I lost the request to this but if you’re seeing this, thanks for the brilliant idea xx. Reblogs and comments are always appreciated. Thanks!

2 years ago

Thinking about how I would write an adult Scooby-Doo series, because I think it can be done.

The first thing I’d do is make the characters actually be adults.  Still young, but adults, in the mid to late 20s range.  Mystery Inc. is a private detective type business that they run together.  In this universe, the supernatural/ghosts/etc are real, but not necessarily common, so when they take on a case, the culprit might be a person disguised as a monster, or it might actually be a real ghost.  The stakes can be higher; sometimes a bad guy is legitimately trying to kill them.  Sometimes the mystery they’re trying to solve is a murder.  Sometimes they actually get hurt on their cases.

Fred: the core of Fred’s character should be that he’s incredibly kind.  Like, give a stranger the shirt off his back kind.  The “Fred can’t talk to potential clients because he might take a case for free and we need to eat” kind.  He’s an honest and good person and sometimes gets himself into trouble because he assumes other people are too.  While he’s not very good at reading people or noticing ulterior motives, he’s brilliant when it comes to mechanical or engineering type stuff, so he’s the one who keeps the mystery machine running, builds their gadgets, and of course, designs the traps.

Daphne: she comes from old money, and her parents absolutely despise her life choices, to the point where they haven’t officially disowned her, but they have basically cut her off, so she doesn’t actually have access to any family money.  Growing up wealthy has granted her a variety of skills, including speaking multiple languages, horseback riding, and fencing.  She’s very into fashion and jewelry (even if she can’t afford it anymore) and has extensive knowledge of both that can occasionally provide a vital clue in a case. And even though her parents have cut her off, Daphne still has a wide network of contacts she can ask for favors sometimes, because she’s personable, and people tend to like her.  Daphne is also very emotionally intelligent, and is usually the one who can spot when someone is lying to them.

Side note - I ship Fred and Daphne, so I think I would start them off as an established couple for this universe.  Dating, engaged, married, I don’t care.  They are stupidly in love, ride or die for each other.  There’s no will they, won’t they, no worries about cheating.  They are in a healthy, happy, loving relationship, and no one (not even Daphne’s disapproving parents) are going to mess that up for them.

Velma: she is the forensics nerd who sometimes gets super excited about the wrong thing at the wrong time (”He was mummified in seconds? That’s so cool!” “Velma!  His wife is standing right there!” “Oh.  Sorry.”).  She’s not purposely insensitive, she just gets laser focused on her work and forgets to filter herself sometimes.  She’s also the one who can get so fixated on solving whatever mystery they’re working on, she’s willing to bend or maybe break laws.  Is breaking and entering really so bad?  Not if it gets them answers.

Shaggy: he is still the comic relief, but he’s the comic relief by being the only person in the group that actually has common sense.  He manages the business’s finances, he’s the only one who knows how to cook, and the others tease him for being a coward sometimes, but Shaggy maintains that if a ghost with an axe is coming for you, running is the only sensible option.  He should also have a range of random knowledge that sounds useless, but sometimes saves the day (ex ventriloquism, origami, the history of spoons, etc).

Scooby: as this is a universe where supernatural creatures exist, Scooby is an ancient eldritch type being that took a shine to Shaggy when he was a kid, and took the form of a talking dog to befriend and hang out with him.  Aside from the talking dog bit and not aging, he never uses his powers in a way that anyone notices.  The audience is not told upfront that Scooby is an ancient eldritch being; it should slowly be hinted at throughout the series so the audience put it together, but the characters never realize it.  Scooby genuinely considers Shaggy to be his best friend, and cares about the rest of the gang too.


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2 years ago

Has anyone else noticed that traits people associate with Shaggy smoking weed could easily be explained with severe anxiety?

Shaggy doesn’t say “like” and talk stuttery because he’s a stoner. He’s unsure of what he’s saying and is constantly tripping over his own thoughts

Shaggy doesn’t always have the munchies. He’s stress eating. He’s just grown an appreciation for food since

Shaggy isn't leaning forward because he’s slouching. That and his wide eyed expression comes from being on constant alert

Shaggy likes mysteries. But his main driving force is his friends. He does have a passion here. But in truth, he doesn’t want to let his friends down. He feels like them and Scooby are the only family he truly has

Shaggy doesn’t do drugs. He just has intense anxiety


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1 year ago

The ‘Theseus’ Thesis

Parallels between the Fantastic Beasts series and William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

*Spoilers for both of the things mentioned above, you have been warned*

Okay, so I went to see Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore the other day and I couldn’t help noticing a few similarities between the series so far and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (AMND) so I’m going to talk about them here because J.K. Rowling doesn’t really like it when people claim that her stuff is based on other stuff, insisting that she made it all up in her head (see this article about how Diagon Alley is NOT based on The Shambles in York) even though (as Mark Twain puts it) 

“There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations.”

Anyway, onto the good stuff:

Keep reading

2 years ago

fr because the feminism they presented was much more natural instead forced because they weren't trying to force their faux woke agenda

smth i loved about BP:WF was how female-driven it was without trying to do the whole “girl power” shit that endgame did. it didnt need to make a point of “HEY LOOK AT HOW FEMINIST WE ARE” bc every woman was so fleshed out and whole and just commanded the attention on screen


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