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A thread on Bertholdt Hoover& #39;s symbolism, themes, and patterns
I& #39;ve been working on a collection of his thematic foundation on and off for two months now and decided to finally finish it! Big thanks to all other Bert fans who gave me valuable insights on what to include.
I& #39;ve been working on a collection of his thematic foundation on and off for two months now and decided to finally finish it! Big thanks to all other Bert fans who gave me valuable insights on what to include.
1. Dreams and sleep as well as nightmares
One of the most well-known ones since canon has put emphasis on his sleep multiple times, but a good one to start off the thread with.
One of the most well-known ones since canon has put emphasis on his sleep multiple times, but a good one to start off the thread with.
2. Divinity and scapegoat
There& #39;s so much that can be said about this one so I only gave the bare basics. I definitely intend on going more in-depth with this one in another post, especially on the scapegoat/sacrificial lamb stuff!
There& #39;s so much that can be said about this one so I only gave the bare basics. I definitely intend on going more in-depth with this one in another post, especially on the scapegoat/sacrificial lamb stuff!
3. Capability, power, and powerlessness
Why was he so talented anyway? The ability to master anything thrown at an ordinary kid ain& #39;t notable?
Why was he so talented anyway? The ability to master anything thrown at an ordinary kid ain& #39;t notable?
4. Elevation, eyes, and his point of view
They all come down to one common concept: what did the warriors see that no one else in the world saw? It& #39;s not like anyone can ask Bertholdt anymore, so the question only deepens.
They all come down to one common concept: what did the warriors see that no one else in the world saw? It& #39;s not like anyone can ask Bertholdt anymore, so the question only deepens.
A small interlude since the impartial judge stance from earlier can use some explanation and it neatly overlaps two of his themes: divinity and point of view.
5. The Hanged Man
One of my fave recurring themes, because we learned about all of this post-mortem through flashbacks to Paradis. Why did Isayama find it important we learn this about his character now?
One of my fave recurring themes, because we learned about all of this post-mortem through flashbacks to Paradis. Why did Isayama find it important we learn this about his character now?
6. Suicide and defeatism
This one deals with some darker stuff.
This one deals with some darker stuff.
7. Abandonment, loneliness, and being lost or forgotten
His life and death were rather lonely.
His life and death were rather lonely.
8. Cruel world
If the sadness of Bert& #39;s life and death affect you, you shouldn& #39;t read this. I mean it. It& #39;s 1600 words on why his existence was pain.
I& #39;ll definitely write a light counterpart to list all the uplifting things in his life later as an apology for writing this
If the sadness of Bert& #39;s life and death affect you, you shouldn& #39;t read this. I mean it. It& #39;s 1600 words on why his existence was pain.
I& #39;ll definitely write a light counterpart to list all the uplifting things in his life later as an apology for writing this
9. Beginnings, middles, and endings
I was surprised when we landed on this theme, because come to think, it& #39;s so obvious and yet I don& #39;t think I& #39;ve seen a lot of people talk about it yet. Let& #39;s complete him already, Isayama!
I was surprised when we landed on this theme, because come to think, it& #39;s so obvious and yet I don& #39;t think I& #39;ve seen a lot of people talk about it yet. Let& #39;s complete him already, Isayama!
10. Ymir Fritz
@jaderay00 is entirely responsible for this one and it& #39;s the most suspicious parallel yet. Just one of these points would be a coincidence. Two would be strange. But all of them? I sense something intentional is at play.
@jaderay00 is entirely responsible for this one and it& #39;s the most suspicious parallel yet. Just one of these points would be a coincidence. Two would be strange. But all of them? I sense something intentional is at play.
11. Mythology
It& #39;s mostly speculation and possibly an unintended similarity, but it& #39;s fun nonetheless
It& #39;s mostly speculation and possibly an unintended similarity, but it& #39;s fun nonetheless
12. Contrast
As a normal kid thrown into hell, contrast is a big part of his setup. Everything about him conflicts with each other and it causes the root of his inner conflict.
As a normal kid thrown into hell, contrast is a big part of his setup. Everything about him conflicts with each other and it causes the root of his inner conflict.
13. Mystery
It all accumulates in this. All of his main themes, bar two, tie into this thread of otherwordly mystery, bringing forth many questions and no answers.
It all accumulates in this. All of his main themes, bar two, tie into this thread of otherwordly mystery, bringing forth many questions and no answers.
