Valley Of The Waves Symbolism

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Recommended: What role does nature play in princess mononoke

Nausicaӓ of the Valley of the Winds is another example of Miyazaki’s portrayal of the struggle between man and nature. The story and themes behind Nausicaӓ are different to those of Princes Mononoke in that it is the portrayal of nature striking back against man rather than man’s initial encroachment on nature. This theme is represented by the use of the characters, places and events that happen in the movie such as the Ohmu, Nausicaӓ’s garden, and the Princess Nausicaӓ herself. The movie follows Princess Nausicaӓ in a post-war or post-apocalyptic world where a toxic jungle is spreading across the world poisoning and killing all life that isn’t plants or insects. Nausicaӓ is different from everyone else in that she has a unique connection and …show more content…

The Ohmu are large beetle like creatures with dozens of eyes, golden tendrils, and shells as hard as steel. These almost ironic creatures, whose design stems from the smallest, seemingly most insignificant creature, are depicted as several different critical symbols and plot devices. One of their major roles is for the Ohmu to be guardians of the forests and protectors of its inhabitants. With their large structure and impenetrable armor they make the perfect symbol for a protector. They are often seen roaming to jungles ensuring the safety of the denizens and rarely venture out except when needed. The film shows them as gentle creatures in the start. They live peacefully in the depths of the different jungles but whenever another insect is hurt or the forest is in danger they spring to action. The Ohmu go from peaceful forest creatures to violent, hate filled beings set on destruction. The Ohmu are the ones responsible for the barren wastelands, destroyed cities, and jungles around the world back when they stampeded across the earth and razed it to the ground. This is where their second representation comes in. The Ohmu are not just the protectors of nature, they are an embodiment of its rage, retribution, and hate. It is obvious when an Ohmu is enraged because their once calm, blue eyes turn blood red with anger and they begin to quickly move towards the source of the disturbance with violent movements. This transformation is seen in the film whenever a gun is shot inside the boundaries of the forest or when an insect is under attack by humans. There was only one person who could fix a raging Ohmu. Nausicaӓ has the ability to calm the Ohmu in some situations by distracting it from its target and calming its blind rage with soothing words and insect charms. Her ability to calm the Ohmu show her connection with nature and how respecting it can bring peace. There are multiple

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