The Philosophy of Avatar the Last Airbender: Redemption Arcs Done Right

WRITTEN BY MIKAELA GABRIELLE P. DE CASTRO

What makes a character arc so compelling? The TV show that perfectly captures elements of world-building and compelling character arcs is ATLA: The Last Airbender. The show’s screenwriters craft characters in an intentional and introspective way, showcasing each character’s individuality. The cast has conflicting ideologies, viewing the world through different lenses, but the character with the most monumental arc is Zuko, the Banished Prince. He is considered to have one of the most influential and captivating character developments throughout the entire show. In the first few episodes, the writers establish his drive; capturing the Avatar to redeem his honor and acceptance from his father. He is enigmatic, forceful, and brash, compared to the story’s heroes.

We have seen similar anti-heroes who have blossomed into redeemed individuals, such as Sasuke from Naruto, and Vegeta from Dragon Ball-Z. Besides their motivations towards revenge and power, the commonality between these characters is their compelling backstories. But what makes Zuko’s arc so different compared to similar archetypes? It all boils down to character objectives. The irony in his character is rooted in his moral acts becoming the very reason for his banishment.

If a story is grounded on pursuing revenge, it is common to write a whole story without the main character having an arc or development. If a conflict arises in the main character’s hands, it is impossible to have a story without confronting themselves. When character arcs are crafted, we see another side of them that tries to understand humanity, their vulnerability, and their flaws.

These characters personify the relatable conflicts of man, teaching us the importance of failure and mistakes. The writers establish the culture, environment, and paradigm of the Fire Nation, allowing us to see what turned him into the desperate and furious pursuer of the Avatar.

We see ourselves in Zuko’s shoes as he continues to struggle with self-identity and morality. The philosophical struggle between the characters is what truly engages us with their external goals and internal conflicts outside their belief systems. With narratives that mirror our reality, the show tackles social issues such as corruption, deceit, and bribery, and the danger certain systems bring such as dictatorship and totalitarianism.

As we are immersed in different situations daily, it is our principles and values that will be tested, shaken, and driven; an applicable reminder to be vigilant and critical individuals. It poses the question: should individuals sacrifice themselves for the collective? Or should we simply accept the status quo?

Glamorization of anti-intellectualism in Philippine media, cinema, and literature

WRITTEN BY MIKAELA GABRIELLE P. DE CASTRO

“Edi ikaw na magaling!” “Nakakanosebleed!”

“Share mo lang?”

Words of ignorance and prejudice continue to emerge in the media industry as facets of anti-intellectualism. Anti-intellectualism, also known as “smart-shaming”, refers to the disfavor and hostility towards intellectual behavior and activities such as condemning literature, education, and art. Ingrained in Filipino teleseryes are multiples tendencies of glorifying ignorance, along with self-deprecating jokes, which translate into the characterization of how roles in Filipino mainstream media portray the shaming of individuals for expressing logical and analytical behavior. This exhibits a negative connotation towards intellectualism, with incomprehension and lack of knowledge subjected to comedy and entertainment.

Another factor that contributes to antiintellectualism is the suspicious perception and notion of Filipinos towards the English language. The omnipresence of this behavior has been circulating prevalently, as the English language has become an unjust basis to determine one’s social class, education, and intellect, which may trace back to the roots of colonialism faced by the Philippines’ long history. This trait is often exhibited in Filipino teleseryes as portrayed by characters with exaggerated gestures and lines that hint to Western influences, primarily using the English language to define social class. In the conventions of Philippine culture, characters who speak English are often associated with wealth, intellect, and privilege, creating different stereotypes. An example is the character of Bea Alonzo, who played the role of Bobbie, a bright and diligent communications agent from New York in the film Four Sisters and A Wedding. As she returned to her home country, her family saw her as “ambisyosya”, constantly degrading her wit and making disdainful comments towards her fluency in the English language.

Through these characters, writers unveil a revelation of how we perceive intellectualism, mirroring the toxicities and harm these factors bring. This creates a hindrance in creating meaningful discourses, exchanging relevant information, and expressing worthwhile and significant insights and opinions, which confine stories, narratives, and issues that contribute to knowledge, truth, and values we uphold. Furthermore, smart-shaming instigates misconceptions and misunderstandings that form barriers and cut the progressive bridge towards being analytical, having a stance, and arriving at a comprehensive understanding in tackling societal issues. It dismisses the essence of the pragmatic aspects of rationalization and upholding of one’s principles. It has transcended into a conventional phenomenon that continues to normalize these concretizations and depictions of our abstractions and perceptions.

In order to reduce the stigma of this phenomenon, we must be observant and critical individuals, watchful whenever occurrences of smart-shaming arise. It is essentially important to avoid making irrelevant remarks, and instead, encourage and engage in healthy discussions, discourses, and credible research. Open-mindedness, integrity, and willingness to learn more discoveries and create more insights are vital, as these allow us to arrive at a common understanding.