[EVA] EoTV vs EoE

[e]

RJN wrote:
> BTW E, from the TV alone, where did you get the
> impression Shinji rejected 
> Complementation?

I won't be able to give a complete explanation (it's
been too long since I watched episode 26, and I should
be asleep at the moment), but some points are:

1. In episodes 25 and 26, when Shinji is undergoing
Complementation, the imagery is used of him being in a
stage/theatre with the other characters.  That is, the
stage represents Complementation.  Bound in the idea
of a stage is the concept of fiction.  What the
audience in a theatre watches is not real, but just a
play.  Thus, we have the alternative universe scenes. 
At the end of episode 26, when Shinji says "I wish to
be me", the stage cracks.  To me, this is very strong
suggestion that the fiction/the alternate universe is
rejected.  Shinji doesn't want some fiction, he wants
reality (ie the world before Complementation).

2. Kaworu was a friend, but turned out to be an Angel,
and Shinji was forced to kill him.  Shinji is
depressed.  At the start of episode 26, he voices his
feelings of uselessness and being unwanted.  At the
end of episode 26, various characters explain to
Shinji that all is a matter of perception.  From the
Literal Translation Project:

Asuka: One sees things with the truth, given by
others.

Misato: Happy on a sunny day.

Rei: Gloomy on a rainy day.

Asuka: If you're taught that, you always think so.

Ritsuko: But, you can enjoy rainy days.

Fuyutsuki: Through different ways of conceiving, the
truth will change into very different things; it's a
weak thing.

This culminates in his declaration:
Shinji:         I hate myself.
                But, I might be able to love myself.
                I might be allowed to stay here.
                Yes. I am nothing but I.
                I am I. I wish to be I.
                I want to stay here!
                I can stay here!

That is, the Shinji finally realises that life (real
world life) isn't (or doesn't need to be) as bad as
he'd thought.  He makes the decision that he wants to
remain in the real world, not accept a false world. 
At this point, the images of the stage are cracking. 
ie, the "here" that he's talking about is the real
world, not the world of Complementation.

In episode 25, Gendou explains that Complementation
will result in all minds becoming one mind.  But here,
at the end of episode 26, Shinji says "I wish to be I"
suggesting his wish to retain his individuality.  He
rejects becoming one mind.

There is no irony in the final
> lines.  The "omedetou" 
> scene reminds me of graduation ceremonies & parties.
> And that is what 
> happened, metaphorically.  :)

No, I don't see the final lines as ironic either.  In
that final scene, while Shinji still has intimate
contact with the other characters, they congratulate
him on his maturing - he's realised that life isn't
all doom and gloom and has taken a step away from his
depression.  Thus, they congratulate him.  He's
growing up.

I also don't know how literal that final scene is
meant to be taken, particularly given the very final
lines "And to all the children, congratulations."

Although in this post I've been writing about what in
episode 26 leads me to believe Shinji rejected
Complementation, without reference to EoE to aid in
that interpretation, I'd just add that I think the
difference in tone at the end of EoE can itself be an
interesting illustration of Shinji's lesson. ie in the
TV ending, the characters explain that things are a
matter of perception: you can be happy on rainy days. 
In my view, both endings result in Shinji rejecting
Complementation.  The TV ending is a "happy on rainy
days" presentation.  The EoE ending is a "sad on rainy
days" presentation.

Now I'm going to sleep  :)

E



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