James Cameron's Avatar, And Edward Zwinks The Last Samurai
A stranger in a new land must get accustomed to their new lifestyle. In Henry Clavell’s Shōgun, James Cameron’s Avatar, and Edward Zwinks’ The Last Samurai, the protagonists must find a way to learn and live through the native culture. Going native is need for survival in an unknown place. Wearing the clothing, learning the language, falling in love, taking part in lifestyle activities, and risking their lives to be trusted are part of going native.
All three works show the protagonist learning to speak the native language. Nathan Algren in The Last Samurai and John Blackthorne in Shōgun learn Japanese and Jake Sully in Avatar learns the Na’vi language. Algren picks up some words while staying with Taka and the family. He begins to say some …show more content…
When Katsumoto is retained in Tokyo, Algren tries to help him escape. He must risk his life to get Katsumoto out of the room and past the guards armed with guns. He knows there is a very slim chance he will make it out alive but he takes his chances before Katsumoto is forced to commit seppuku. Algren even goes back to save Nobutada, Katsumoto’s son, when he knows the guards have opened fire and he has no protection. At one point Blackthorne comes close to committing seppuku to prove he values the life of the village and is willing to give it up in payment for theirs. Blackthorne also risks his life when he saves Toranaga during the earthquake and while distracting Ishido as Toranaga escapes the castle in disguise. He slowly gains Toranaga’s trust by saving him multiple times. Blackthorne eventually becomes hatamoto for his loyalty and trust. Once the Na’vi people distrusted Sully, he has to earn their trust back. To prove himself worthy he has to bond with Toruk, the greatest beast in the sky. He becomes the master of Toruk and shows the Na’vi people he is truly on their side, thus gaining back their trust. All three men risk their lives to gain the trust of the people and become part of
All three works show the protagonist learning to speak the native language. Nathan Algren in The Last Samurai and John Blackthorne in Shōgun learn Japanese and Jake Sully in Avatar learns the Na’vi language. Algren picks up some words while staying with Taka and the family. He begins to say some …show more content…
When Katsumoto is retained in Tokyo, Algren tries to help him escape. He must risk his life to get Katsumoto out of the room and past the guards armed with guns. He knows there is a very slim chance he will make it out alive but he takes his chances before Katsumoto is forced to commit seppuku. Algren even goes back to save Nobutada, Katsumoto’s son, when he knows the guards have opened fire and he has no protection. At one point Blackthorne comes close to committing seppuku to prove he values the life of the village and is willing to give it up in payment for theirs. Blackthorne also risks his life when he saves Toranaga during the earthquake and while distracting Ishido as Toranaga escapes the castle in disguise. He slowly gains Toranaga’s trust by saving him multiple times. Blackthorne eventually becomes hatamoto for his loyalty and trust. Once the Na’vi people distrusted Sully, he has to earn their trust back. To prove himself worthy he has to bond with Toruk, the greatest beast in the sky. He becomes the master of Toruk and shows the Na’vi people he is truly on their side, thus gaining back their trust. All three men risk their lives to gain the trust of the people and become part of