Avatar’s Ash People: Misunderstood Survivors or Just Plain Evil?
Unpacking the Ash People’s Motivations in Avatar
Okay, let’s talk about the Ash People from Avatar. Specifically, let’s unpack the idea that maybe, just maybe, they aren’t the villains everyone’s making them out to be. It’s an unpopular opinion, I know. But hear me out.
We’re presented with this fierce, fire-wielding group whose homeland has been decimated. Their trees are scorched, their landscapes barren. Eywa, the supposed all-encompassing deity of Pandora, watched it all burn and, seemingly, did nothing. So, what are they supposed to do? Roll over and accept their fate?
The Question of Survival: A Harsh Reality
From a purely survivalist perspective, the Ash People’s actions make a grim kind of sense. They’re not just being aggressive for the sake of it; they’re fighting for their existence. When your home is gone, you go where you need to go to survive. And sometimes, that means taking resources from others.
Look, I’m not saying their methods are pretty, but war rarely is. And let’s be real, the Na’vi have enjoyed a relatively peaceful existence until recently. Maybe a little hardship will give them some perspective. After all, tough times create tough people, right?
Eywa’s Silence: A Divine Indifference?
This brings me to my next point: Eywa’s role, or lack thereof. We’re told she’s this benevolent, all-knowing force that protects Pandora. But where was she when the Ash People’s home was burning? Did she step in to help them rebuild? Did she offer them an alternative solution? Nope. Silence.
Perhaps the Ash People see Eywa not as a protector, but as an indifferent observer. And if that’s the case, why should they respect her or her followers? Maybe they’ve realized that self-preservation is the only real divinity on Pandora. And hey, who can blame them for that?
Survivors, Not Villains
Ultimately, I think the Ash People are being unfairly villainized. They’re survivors. They’re resourceful. They’re doing what they need to do to stay alive in a world that’s been incredibly unkind to them. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time we start seeing them as something other than just the bad guys.
