Chrono Trigger: An Existentialist Reading (Part V)

[ideas]

The Zeal story arc is the heart of Chrono Trigger's game world, despite taking place so late in the game itself. The events of 12,000 are not only central to the game's plot but to its themes; the Zeal era contains by far the most overt symbols and themes in Chrono Trigger. Despite the spike in authorial intention, though, a lot of the good stuff

Comments

[ideas]

Thanks for the comment!

I think we're in agreement about Zeal. The parallel to the Babel story is strong. The difference is in what constitutes hubris in each story. As you point out, beauty does not equal righteousness in Zeal's story; but neither does magnificence equal hubris. The sin is not the overreach, but the loss of balance that results from losing touch with the planet. We can imagine a righteous Zeal that floats forever without transgressing nature's law, but not a righteous Babel. Again, I don't think we've got a disagreement here, just a difference in emphasis.

The Entity is a real presence in Chrono Trigger and can be compared to a transcendent deity. However, I think that existentialism's historical struggle with God is mirrored in Chrono Trigger. Traditional Christian doctrines about human identity won't square with the version of humanity that we see in Chrono Trigger and in existentialism. In Christianity, humans are created for the purpose of glorifying God, are held to a divine and immutable standard of morality, and achieve personal salvation from original sin through the proxy sacrifice of Christ. All of this conflicts with Chrono Trigger's existentialist statement about humanity's nature and (lack of) essential purpose. You could probably reconcile Chrono Trigger with Judeo-Christian doctrine by drawing on the mystical traditions of Judaism and Christianity, but it would be just that: a reconciliation.

That's not to say that Chrono isn't a Christ figure in some ways. But he's a different kind of Christ figure, and the differences are telling.

[ideas]

I'd say you're not necessarily wrong, in that the storyline of Chrono trigger doesn't follow the tried and truisms of immediate Judeo-Christianity, but I think it appeals directly to some of the aspects of Kierkegaard's Neo-orthodoxy, in that God is glorified through the struggle toward self-realization and the discovery that each soul bears a responsibility to the greater good, an idea reinforced not only by the character's actions, but also by the fact (as you mentioned in your original post) that both the Epoch and Lavos draw their power from the soul itself. Robo says as much, during its first activation. Epoch amplifies the longings of the soul, whereas Lavos preys on it, making him akin to Lucifer in promising glory (i.e. the queen and the advancements of Zeal) while only delivering ruin.

So, as I've said, I think you make a very valid point in your arguments, but the wonderful thing about Chrono trigger is, apparently, how many different ways it can be interpreted. Again, thanks for writing this. It's nice to see someone give this story the sort of consideration it deserves.