Study of the usage of themes in Naruto

[heronite]

A much more recent study of mine. ^^ It can be seen as a companion piece to the Plotlines study. Or not. Ah well.

First posted on NF in April 2006

Comments

[shounenhero]

Very well written and interesting. Nice job! I especially liked the graphs; you can really see how things are played out between the characters.

[vaguehobbit]

I was linked here from chuunin. Interesting essay! I have pondered on the theme concept myself, but not in writing or as extensively as you have. Nice work. :)

[splintered_soul]

*feels like replying in lj rather than NF*

Wonderful essay as always. You manage to delve into Naruto and bring out it's true essence.

Though nitpicking:

1. I felt that this essay sort of made it look like Chiyo and Sasori were shallow characters. I do agree that their themes were very flimsy and had little impact on the main Naruto-line or story-line but as far as character's go I felt they were strong. But for the most part I do agree with everything you said especially since this a "theme" essay rather than character, though I felt Chiyo did have her own little theme of finding absolution from her regret.

2. I agree with Sai, but Yamato's presence of a theme doesn't seem powerful enough to be considered as a concrete "theme." Though I never thought Yamato as a way for compensating for Kakashi-Sasuke, that's a very good point. But Yamato, as a character, isn't strong enough to really take the place of Kakashi.

Ending thought: You rock the world. TT___TT<3

[heronite]

1. Hmm, I truly apologize for that. Sasori and Chiyo are Far from shallow. What happened though is that their depth came exclusively from their backgrounds and not from their links to the character in question, though as I said I'm wondering if the Chiyo/Sasori didn't represent a missed opportunity to represent the "loved one gone bad" theme, or one that will be brought up later, just like Haku's "protect precious people" theme is always brought up with Naruto. Ah well. You could call it "regret", Sakura's role would be to see that it doesn't happen with the one She wants to save.

2. Yamato isn't a "theme" I suppose. Rather, he represents a "purpose". His purpose to to further develop the jinchuuriki aspect.

Thanks for the views! ^_^

Chiyo

[kinair]

I think Chiyo also represents, in small part, a look to the future theme. One of letting go of the past to embrace the present. It's her personal evolution. She attacks Kakashi, who looks just like the man who killed her son, but isn't. It's the son of that man. She thinks that allegiances between villages are foolish, but then meets a Naruto who is willing to save Gaara, because they're the same. The arc ends with Chiyo dying happy because Naruto will be a force for good in making a future that she would have wanted, and she also tells Sakura something of the same. The theme of the old making way for the young and letting go of the past.