Week 2/3

After watching Nausicaa for the third or fourth time, I was able to take away a more complex understanding of its heroine. One student during lecture complained of the almost too perfect qualities of Nausicaa, citing her kindness, bravery, self sacrifices and physical prowess as frustratingly unrealistic annoyances. Another referred to her messianic image. These points are both true and understandable yet after watching this movie again on Wednesday, I noticed another facet to Nausicaa. Through all her good intentions, there seems to be a bit of naivety that only sheer luck saves her from. She often makes the decision of martyrdom and moral righteousness even if the consequences may not be in the best of interests.
During the attack on the Tolmekians by the Pejite airmen, Nausicaa attempts to stop the attacker by placing herself in direct line of the airman-Asbel(not the only time she attempts a maneuver like this). In the past I viewed these actions as selfless and honorable, but after seeing the movie again, I realized how irresponsible these actions were. Knowing how important her role is in the Valley of the Wind, to put herself at risk like this seems almost reckless. Asbel easily could have hit her or died himself(completely changing the course of good luck that continues during the film). There seems to be a downside to her perfection in that in all her idealism, Nausicaa is blinded by the full impact of her decisions. Another example of this recklessness is when she saves Kushana and almost dies because of it or when she takes off her mask to help her friends and becomes poisoned herself. I suppose one could argue that Nausicaa is fully aware of the risks she takes and that these actions are the most necessary and admirable even arguing that it is because of these selfless actions that such goodwill is shown upon her during her journey. My own desires to find fault within Nausicaa may be twisting my viewpoint, however I think Miyazaki would not consider Nausicaa perfect so it is reasonable to analyze these scenes as such...