[ATS 6] Broken
All Their Sins, Chapter 6
Broken - One Piece and Paradise Lost
I wouldn't call it a reference, or an inspiration, but Milton's 'Paradise Lost' definitely had an impact on chapter six, especially Sanji's thoughts on people who are broken, or fallen, or otherwise damaged. I had explored the idea somewhat in chapter two, but it came back to me now and, with it, the powerful imagery of Lucifer's fall from Milton's epic poem. I wanted to make a direct reference, but neither the story nor the poem is part of the One Piece world, and forcing it would be... counter-productive, I think. It would have required stopping the flow to say something along the lines of 'Sanji remembered the story of...' So, instead, it shows up in these notes.
I don't want to come across as a Satanist or anything, but I've always found the Lucifer of Paradise Lost to be a very sympathetic character, especially in the first few books. Of course, it's necessary for both the structure and message of the poem. Structurally, it's an epic poem; thus, the hero must be built up (must be a hero) before his fall. And in the first few books, Lucifer is the hero - he fought for freedom, was defeated, and was cast down, broken, to a hell. Even then, there are others looking to him for leadership, wanting him to find a way to do something.
Of course, it isn't until some time after his literal fall from heaven that we begin to see Lucifer's transformation into Satan - his true fall. Now, there are two ways I could argue this: I could say that he struggles for power, and this turns him into the devil he becomes, or I could say that he accepts his predetermined role, and that's where the transformation comes from. One is choice, one is fate.
The first, choice, has some shadow on Zoro, I think. He's struggling to become more powerful - to become the best - and to accomplish that he'll do anything, even cut off his own legs. It's not just Zoro's power, but his determination and anger that lead him to be called a demon in the series.
The second take, fate, is more on parallel with Nami. I'm going to ignore the fact that she chose to join Arlong by herself because, although it would impact an argument on whether Nami actually could be an allegory for Lucifer, it doesn't impact on the shadow of similarity that I see. Once she became a thief and a pirate, Nami had no choice but to become the best in order to accomplish her dream. Likewise, it could be argued that Lucifer had no choice but to become Satan. Why? For a start, because angels weren't given the power of free choice. Also, it's suggest in Book, um... three, I think, it's been a while... that having done the whole creating bit, God wanted to test his creation - hence, temptation and a shot at redemption. So Lucifer was cast in the role of the bad guy, and becomes resigned to filling that role to the best of his ability - by capitulating, he gives himself the illusion of free choice, if you will.
I should point out that, from my reading, I got the sense that Milton wasn't overly impressed with God. Sure, there was lots of worship and Glory Unto Thee, but there was a lingering impression of 'if you knew we were going to fuck it up, why did you bother checking?' But that's a theological debate, and it's old, and it's long.
In any case, although both Nami and Zoro are called demons and devils and suchlike throughout the series, they're undeniably good, something that can't really be said of Lucifer, however sympathetic his character in the poem might be. So there the parallel falls down - but it still influences the way I see the characters, and write the story. But as you can probably guess, there isn't quite room to mention that in the story itself.
Broken - One Piece and Paradise Lost
I wouldn't call it a reference, or an inspiration, but Milton's 'Paradise Lost' definitely had an impact on chapter six, especially Sanji's thoughts on people who are broken, or fallen, or otherwise damaged. I had explored the idea somewhat in chapter two, but it came back to me now and, with it, the powerful imagery of Lucifer's fall from Milton's epic poem. I wanted to make a direct reference, but neither the story nor the poem is part of the One Piece world, and forcing it would be... counter-productive, I think. It would have required stopping the flow to say something along the lines of 'Sanji remembered the story of...' So, instead, it shows up in these notes.
I don't want to come across as a Satanist or anything, but I've always found the Lucifer of Paradise Lost to be a very sympathetic character, especially in the first few books. Of course, it's necessary for both the structure and message of the poem. Structurally, it's an epic poem; thus, the hero must be built up (must be a hero) before his fall. And in the first few books, Lucifer is the hero - he fought for freedom, was defeated, and was cast down, broken, to a hell. Even then, there are others looking to him for leadership, wanting him to find a way to do something.
Of course, it isn't until some time after his literal fall from heaven that we begin to see Lucifer's transformation into Satan - his true fall. Now, there are two ways I could argue this: I could say that he struggles for power, and this turns him into the devil he becomes, or I could say that he accepts his predetermined role, and that's where the transformation comes from. One is choice, one is fate.
The first, choice, has some shadow on Zoro, I think. He's struggling to become more powerful - to become the best - and to accomplish that he'll do anything, even cut off his own legs. It's not just Zoro's power, but his determination and anger that lead him to be called a demon in the series.
The second take, fate, is more on parallel with Nami. I'm going to ignore the fact that she chose to join Arlong by herself because, although it would impact an argument on whether Nami actually could be an allegory for Lucifer, it doesn't impact on the shadow of similarity that I see. Once she became a thief and a pirate, Nami had no choice but to become the best in order to accomplish her dream. Likewise, it could be argued that Lucifer had no choice but to become Satan. Why? For a start, because angels weren't given the power of free choice. Also, it's suggest in Book, um... three, I think, it's been a while... that having done the whole creating bit, God wanted to test his creation - hence, temptation and a shot at redemption. So Lucifer was cast in the role of the bad guy, and becomes resigned to filling that role to the best of his ability - by capitulating, he gives himself the illusion of free choice, if you will.
I should point out that, from my reading, I got the sense that Milton wasn't overly impressed with God. Sure, there was lots of worship and Glory Unto Thee, but there was a lingering impression of 'if you knew we were going to fuck it up, why did you bother checking?' But that's a theological debate, and it's old, and it's long.
In any case, although both Nami and Zoro are called demons and devils and suchlike throughout the series, they're undeniably good, something that can't really be said of Lucifer, however sympathetic his character in the poem might be. So there the parallel falls down - but it still influences the way I see the characters, and write the story. But as you can probably guess, there isn't quite room to mention that in the story itself.