Understanding the Antagonist Azula in "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

Lea Marie Wilde

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Essay from the year 2022 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,8, University of Leipzig (...

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Essay from the year 2022 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,8, University of Leipzig (Anglistik), course: Comics and Graphic Novels - A Different Kind Of Literature, language: English, abstract: This essay focuses on the perception and the understanding of the female antagonist Azula in the graphic novel "Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search". Essential themes that are discussed in coming-of-age stories, e.g., during different political times like wartime and colonialism, can also represent marginalised groups, other religions, abuse, or disabilities, both mental and physical (Garrison). All of these are featured and discussed in the graphic novel "Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search", a continuation of the same named television series "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and a prequel to its follow-up "Avatar: The Legend of Korra". "The Search" takes place after the events of "ATLA - The Promise" and is divided into two storylines; one follows past events that led up to the disappearance of Ursa, mother to Azula and Zuko and former wife of the fallen Firelord Ozai; the other is set in the present and accompanies "Team Avatar" on their search for Ursa. Here Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko are joined by his "crazy" and "aggressive" sister Azula, the former crown princess, now locked away in a dungeon. "ATLA - The Search" criticises the ignorant and misogynistic view from Asian cultures on the concept of mental illness and their perception of women within their society in the representation of the mad princess Azula through the trauma narrative; it thereby deepens the understanding and perception of her villainised character. Over the course of the 21st Century, the graphic novel has experienced a positive dramatic change in contemporary society that has led to its recognition among other types of literature as a unique and rare art form and is also discussed within an academic context. All kinds of different genres are featured in the new text that combines iconographies featuring art and symbols, illustrations, and written text, which can offer especially young adults a specific and provocative perspective. Since the late 1960s, the coming-of-age genre has been a quintessential theme in young adult literature; with time, it developed a more and more realistic portrayal of adolescence by illustrating the harsh realities and complexities of the journey into adulthood and giving developing readers solace and commiseration. Graphic novels can also bridge different cultures and offer the audience a different perspective of growing up by widening their overall knowledge besides their own experiences.