RP Interpretation Meme

[rp_anontalk]

For these anons-

ITT your interpretations of a character for critiquing and analyzing. Kinda like rp_advice_meme in reverse. Don't get too wanky- this'll only work if you play nice. ♥

Edit: Oops, meant this to be on the comm. Oh well.

Comments

[anonymous]

There are a lot of valid ways to interpret Azula. Since the first thing we hear about her is she's a liar, it makes sense that her own actions are unreliable. Sometimes she's saying something just to be cruel, sometimes it looks like it's part of a master plan, sometimes it seems like she just doesn't get it. The biggest thing characterization point is that she's a born manipulator. We see her switching tactics very quickly to get what she wants. And while she may be naturally prideful, she can be gracious or even servile in the right circumstances. She's a lot colder and calculating compared to other firebenders like Zhao and Zuko.

And she's crazy. Personally, I don't think she's a sociopath, but I do think she has issues that are part of her natural temperment. Aggression, lack of empathy, etc. That said, I also think her upbringing had a lot to do with it. Not like Ozai abused her or anything, but if it takes Zuko two and a half seasons to realize the Fire Nation's conquest isn't right, that was a persuasive environment. And Azula got the same indoctrination only moreso.

So she doesn't see herself as a villain so much as someone willing to do what's necessary. Not delusions of heroism, since she's a bully and she likes being a jerk, but there's still some method behind most of her cruelties. A sense of entitlement. This girl grew up hearing she had a divine birthright to lead others, but she's also focused on making herself as perfect as she can be. She is extremely confident in her reasons and her sense of self.

Last part, she's socially awkward and this is a good contrast to her character! Military strategy and making people afraid of her, she's a genius. But she doesn't really get people outside of the survivalist mindset and I think it's because she never really steps outside of it herself. Even childhood games seemed to revolve around competition and power, but "The Beach" showed how incomprehensible normal behavior is to her. And that a small part of her wanted to try it but got frustrated because she couldn't control everything like she was used to, so her response to that was kill it with fire.

While she doesn't have a secret longing to be normal or whatever, she's not totally inhuman. She wants approval, she wants people to appreciate her and in some cases even love her if her hallucinations are to be believed. The sticking point is doesn't care about other people's feelings 99% of the time, and the other 1% she can justify with bigger goals. Really one of those great villains that can have some sympathetic traits without becoming sentimentalized or woobiefied.