Crazy Bunny Lady, PhD

all of my modern avatar university au!

bonus yue:

she’s sokka's ex. everyone thinks she’s dead cause when asking sokka what happened to her he says “she has gone to a better place” which is true because she went to study abroad in a really good university, and as no one had the guts to ask him how she “died” they assumed she was really gone.

“What do you think happens?” I said instead. “When we die?” Jin didn’t believe in gods. He didn’t believe in heavens or hells or worlds after. Just in this world. Just in now.

Jin traced my face, like he was trying to remember it. “I think they burn us and we become dust and ash.” He ran a finger across the edge of my lips. “And I think that the dust that was me will spend until the end of time trying to get as close as possible to the dust that was you out in that vast desert.”

- Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton

“Tell me that and we’ll go. Right now.”

ZUTARA + PARALLELS:

Zuko and Katara were set up for a romance.

It boggles my mind that someone can watch Season 2 episodes “The Cave of Two Lovers” and “The Crossroads of Destiny” and not realize that Zuko and Katara were supposed to have a romance.

And not just a romance at that. They were set up for a Romance™.

The kind of Romance that gets remembered for thousands of years. The kind of Romance that gets a giant statue raised in its honor. The kind of Romance that gets a city named after it.

“Two lovers, forbidden from one another… a war divides their people, and a mountain divides them apart. Built a path to be together.”

Two lovers, one red, the other blue:

A war dividing their people:

Built a path to be together, in a cave of glowing green crystals:

And I just cannot understand how anyone could possibly misinterpret that so badly as to not get that it was set up to have them fall in love.

I mean, what, do they think that they ran out of yellow and green ink for the Oma and Shu sequence? During digital coloring? Do they think they put Zuko and Katara in a cave of glowing green crystals on accident? Even though we know Ba Sing Se has a dungeon? A dungeon good enough to hold Long Feng, the Earth King, and Toph and Sokka? But Zuko and Katara end up in the Catacombs? What do they think was going on there? No, seriously, someone, please, how else do you possibly explain that, other than as a deliberate parallel to the greatest lovers in Avatar-verse history and folklore?

In the foggy swamp, each person had a vision of something to do with their past or future. Or so we think… I argue it was actually all regarding the future and adding lore to soulmate bonds and granting validity to Iroh’s saying, “destiny is a funny thing.” We are shown that spirits are not the most forthcoming, so the foggy swamp would be no, different.

Exhibit A: The setup

When Katara sees her mother, we immediately link it to her past and the heartbreak Katara still feels as well as the guilt she hears for her mother’s death. We see it as merely a reminder of an old wound. Possibly even as a cruel joke to play on Katara by the spirits 

 However… this is not the case. 

Exhibit B: The case for Taang; idealism vs. realism

Preface: The vision

Aang sees Toph in the swamp wearing her formal wear as a younger child, which indicates the past but is actually a reference to his future. The foreshadowing is much more definite here because this the purpose of this vision is going to take place sooner rather than later in the series. This vision seems to represent his idealized vision of who he thinks Toph is or, rather, the idealized version she presents to her parents and what society expects from her. 

Idealism part 1: Who she wants to be. 

Who he sees from his dream is nothing like he thought she’d be, but he knows it’s her. Even with how different she looks from his vision. He knows it’s her, and he sees it as a sign from the spirits. He has immediate faith in her abilities, even when others don’t. 

Their meeting is hilarious and fun, but it also gives us an idea of what to expect from their relationship both professionally and casually

The vision part 2: The flying Boar

Aang refers back to his vision in this episode. Saying, “That’s because we’re asking about the wrong person. In my vision, I saw a girl, in a white dress, with a pet flying boar. Know anybody like that?”

The student replies, “Well, a flying boar is, the symbol of the Beifong family.” 

Thus, we are given the answer to the reason the flying boar was in his vision. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. However, this puzzle piece was given to him as a means to help him find her. In other words, the flying boar is his compass. This is further proven when he says, “That’s the flying boar from my vision. Come on!”

In this scene, we see them kinda mirroring the same questions to each other. But more importantly, we see them only interact with each other even when there are others there trying to get in on the conversation. In other words, their whole world is wrapped up in one another. 

Toph: What are you doing here, Twinkle Toes?!

Aang: How did you know it was me?

Sokka: Don’t answer to Twinkle Toes, it’s not manly!

Katara: You’re the one whose bag matches his belt.

Toph: How did you find me?

Aang: Well, a crazy king told me I had to find an earthbender who listens to the earth. And then I had a vision in a magic swamp, [Toph raises her eye in disbelief.] and -

This conversation does not involve Sokka or Katara because they are too wrapped up in finding out how they know each other. Aang proves as much as he is hasty to explain how he knew her, and while she is in “disbelief.” this exchange indicates a possible soulmate connection that leads them to recognize each other across lifetimes. 

The next exchange furthers this idea by revealing the true source of her anger. 

Katara: [Cutting off Aang] What Aang is trying to say is, he’s the Avatar. And if he doesn’t master earthbending soon, he won’t be able to defeat the Fire Lord.

Toph: Not my problem. Now, [Begins walking away.] get out of here, or I’ll call the guards.

Sokka: Look, we all have to do our part to win this war, and yours is to teach Aang earthbending.

When Sokka and Katara make themselves known, it is clear she wants nothing to do with them. This is interesting, especially since Aang says he needs an earthbending teacher who listens. But it seems she’s only willing to listen to Aang. She walks away clearly annoyed, but there’s something else that’s subtle that is easy to miss. Her annoyance is not actually with Aang but with the interruption itself; what is now left unfinished and the questions left unanswered. For one, she isn’t given time to actually react to his words.

Idealism Part 2: Who society wants her to be

Toph’s relationship with her parents is extremely strenuous because she is not able to be who she truly is in front of them. Her parents expect her to be proper and weak. They don’t know her real power and refuse to accept it.  

Aang-even though her is aware of this- pushes on to try and convince her parents to let her run away with him. This, of course, leads to a very tense back and forth between the two, trying to get the other to go along with their respective plans. 

This tension, however, is displayed in an entertaining way that actually shows how similar they are despite how different their plans are. They both love mischief and fun. Only for once Aang is actually the butt of the joke, and he’s not used to it. They’re both petty and competitive. But they also have fun.

Realism: Who she is

The following scene shows Toph as herself. Not the character of “the blind bandit” and not the mask of “Lady Bei Fong.” She and Aang have a heart to heart, which shows that she’s not one or the other, but both. This is the first time we actually see Toph with her walls down completely. This is also one of the few times we actually see toph as vulnerable. 

Toph: Relax. Look, I’m sorry about dinner. Let’s call a truce, okay? [Aang lets down his defensive position and the two head out to the yard. Toph walks along the side of a bridge.] Even though I was born blind, I’ve never had a problem seeing. [Jumps down.] I see with earthbending. It’s kind of like seeing with my feet. I feel the vibrations in the Earth, and I can see where everything is. [The camera shows an aerial view.] You, that tree … [Cut back to the ground.] even those ants. Aang: [Looks around.] That’s amazing. Toph: My parents don’t understand. They’ve always treated me like I was helpless. Aang: Is that why you became the Blind Bandit? Toph: Yeah. Aang: Then why stay here where you’re not happy? Toph: They’re my parents. Where else am I supposed to go? Aang: You could come with us.

At this point, Aang is offering her something she’s never gotten, true freedom, and a chance to be herself. She doesn’t have to pretend to be refined or overly confident. She can just be her. 

The Vision Part 3: Resolution/full circle 

The swamp was color-coded as green. The feel was coded to be mysterious and eerie. The Toph we see in the picture below is wearing her same outfit from the vision

However, it is not the same look from earlier. It’s not the idealized version society wants her to be. And this is the moment we see the purpose of the vision come to fruition.

She’s not the perfect idealized version her parents want her to be

She’s not the untamed overconfident girl Aang met earlier that day.

 She’s both. The scene is supposed to be a reference to the vision itself. By showing the duality of Toph’s character and Aang’s perception of people, the vision has come to fruition. They both learned and grew this episode. And the way Aang grew was far more profound because it was more than we ever saw before. 

Her and Aang’s capture forces her to face her fears and reconcile that can be both. That’s why this is such a massive moment because she’s become balanced in both her identities.

Furthermore, Toph’s look on her face when she decides to fight is one that mirrors an older ominous look. She’s herself, but she’s also more. She looks serious and determined like never before. She looks intimidating and not the way she was in the arena. She appears otherworldly, and it’s chilling. She looks like she’s in a trance, like Aang in the avatar state with no emotion on her face but controlled power. 

She also looks like she’s about to save the same dumbass she’s had to in way too many lifetimes… again. 

A lot of this episode was about familiarity. But the end of this episode was just the beginning for both Aang and Toph. The arc of the swamp was resolved because the spirits brought them together in a strange way, which forced them to grow more than ever in less than 24 hours. 

Toph learned from/ parallels Aang’s inclination to run away from his problems. Only,  in Toph’s case, she’s running away from a situation that no longer serves her.

It’s in her nature as an earthbender to be stubborn and stand her ground. But Aang teaches her that sometimes standing your ground means removing yourself from a situation that’s holding you back. She had to make a choice between stubbornness and freedom.

She chose freedom.

conclusion of Exhibit B:

Toph instinctively already displays a characteristic of an Airbender in her ability to listen. This was what Bumi told Aang he needed in an earthbending master. Someone who listens because that’s the common thread that links and earthbender and an airbender together that allows them to learn and grow together. Aang, however, is an airbender at heart, and they are meant to be adaptive and compromising. This episode shows Aang acting more like an earthbender with his uncompromising attitude and determination to get toph to join him. He instinctively follows the earthbending philosophy without realizing it and meets his match in the person whose element is the opposite of his own.  

Exhibit C: Katara’s Vision of her future with Zuko

Preface:

Now… how does Aangs vision of Toph have anything to do with this Zutara and Katara’s vision in the swamp? I’m so happy you asked

This theory actually goes back to” the cave of two lovers,” which is actually proven to be a Zutara episode rather than kataang. This claim is based on color-coding and parallels that end up setting up the emotional climax of book 2 when Zuko and Katara ultimately coming together in the crystal cave. You can find that explanation here. I highly recommend you read that piece before continuing, so everything comes together nicely. 

Visions part 1: Parallels of change

Katara saw her mother in the foggy swamp. And again, we see it, as a part of her past she hasn’t dealt with. But it’s more than that. I want you to take a look at something.

Katara has a vision of her mother in the swamp, and she’s sure is real. in the crystal caves, she sees Zuko, who she believes she knows. her reactions to each moment are vastly different, just like the outcomes

The visions start out as positive

The confrontation starts as negative

The vision ends in heartbreak

The confrontation’s ends in hope

Both the moment in the cave allows them to realize that they, in fact, do know each other, but in a way, they never thought possible. They find out they know each other more than most do, probably more than anyone ever will. They share a link, an experience that only they can understand. Their mothers are gone because of them. Because they sacrificed themselves to protect them.

This realization creates an unspeakable bond that results in trust on katara’s end, and hope on Zuko’s. 

We know of course, that this does not last, as Zuko is not ready to accept that someone can know him wholeheartedly, see the worst side of himself and take him for who he is. But this is the conclusion of the first part of Katara’s vision that comes to fruition. 

Visions Part 2:  purpose

The true purpose behind Katara’s vision of Kya was foreshadowing Zutara. And it all comes together in “The southern raiders” This episode is very emotionally charged but addresses everything that has strained Her and Zuko’s relationship and reforms the bond of trust between them.

He offered her closure in the same way she offered him by healing his scar in the crystal caves.

She took it and found the real source of her hatred and anger towards the Fire Nation.

He sees her strength and lets her do what she needs to

But most importantly… she forgives him, and that’s the real reason she saw Kya in her vision,

Katara’s vision wasn’t just a passing memory. It was Kya bringing her daughter and Zuko together. It was Kya helping her daughter heal from her death and free her from her prejudices.

I mean, this is a guy who was born Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, firstborn son and heir to the throne of his father, Firelord Azulon. His upbringing had to be steeped in the pro-war nationalism of his father and grandfather as he was groomed to take on the position of Firelord.

Prior to the failure of his siege at Ba Sing Se, it can be assumed that Prince Iroh was a wholehearted supporter of the war. During a flashback in “Zuko Alone” (S2 E7), Ursa reads a letter written by Iroh, sent from the war front, in which he jests about burning the Earth Kingdom capital to the ground. 

Only a few short days later, his heir and only child, Lu Ten, is killed in the very siege Iroh commands. Then, Azulon mysteriously dies, and names Ozai his successor, effectively robbing Iroh of his birthright. 

And, to our knowledge, a heartbroken Iroh does nothing to combat this. Why?

I’m almost certain it is during these dark days in which Iroh’s world perspective shifts dramatically. His life, his future, his priorities are completely rearranged. As he grapples with his own destiny, it’s very possible that he joins the White Lotus during this period, but we’re never really told for sure. 

There’s other holes in Iroh’s backstory too, like who was Lu Ten’s mother? What was her relationship with Iroh like? And why did Iroh choose to stay in the royal Fire Nation court following Ozai’s coronation? Did he promise Ursa he would look after Zuko in her absence, or was there a different reason? 

In “The Firebending Masters” (S3 E13), we learn that Iroh earned his nickname “Dragon of the West” by supposedly killing the last of the dragons, when in fact he protected them, lying in order to end the Fire Nation tradition of dragon hunting. In secrecy, he became a student of the dragons, learning from the true source of firebending. I believe this occurred sometime between Ozai’s coronation and Zuko’s banishment. So we can gather, by this time, Iroh is not exactly the nationalistic Fire Nation vessel he once was. 

And yet, when Zuko is banished, Iroh willingly follows along with him, even when his nephew intimidates the people of the Southern Water Tribe, burns Kyoshi Island, and repeatedly tries to capture the Avatar and destroy the world’s last hope for peace. And yet, throughout their early travels (and especially during the Siege of the North), Iroh demonstrates an understanding and respect for harmony, balance, and the cultures of the other nations.  How does Iroh, a senior member of a secret order dedicated to maintain balance and peace, justify standing by his nephew’s disregard for such things?

The reality is that most of our understandings of history revolve around what men were doing. But by paying attention to the other half of humanity our understanding of history can be radically altered.

For example, with Jewish emigration out of the Third Reich it is just kind of assumed that it was a decision made by a man, and the rest of his family just followed him out of danger. But that is completely inaccurate. Women, constrained to the private social sphere to varying extents, were the first to notice the rise in social anti-Semitism in the beginning of Hitler’s rule. They were the ones to notice their friends pulling away and their social networks coming apart. They were the first to sense the danger.

German Jewish men tended to work in industries which were historically heavily Jewish, thus keeping them from directly experiencing this “social death.” These women would warn their husbands and urge them to begin the emigration process, and often their husbands would overlook or undervalue their concerns (“you’re just being hysterical” etc). After the Nuremberg Laws were passed, and after even more so after Kristallnacht, it fell to women to free their husbands from concentration camps, to run businesses, and to wade through the emigration process.

The fact that the Nazis initially focused their efforts on Jewish men meant that it fell to Jewish women to take charge of the family and plan their escape. In one case, a woman had her husband freed from a camp (to do so, she had to present emigration papers which were not easy to procure), and casually informed him that she had arranged their transport to Shanghai. Her husband—so traumatized from the camp—made no argument. Just by looking at what women were doing, our understanding of this era of Jewish history is changed.

I have read an article arguing that the Renaissance only existed for men, and that women did not undergo this cultural change. The writings of female loyalists in the American Revolutionary period add much needed nuance to our understanding of this period. The character of Jewish liberalism in the first half of the twentieth century is a direct result of the education and socialization of Jewish women. I can give you more examples, but I think you get the point.

So, you wanna understand history? Then you gotta remember the ladies (and not just the privileged ones).

There was one woman who begged her husband for months to leave Germany. When he refused to listen to her, she refused to get into bed with him at night, instead kneeling down in front of him and begging him to listen to her, or if he wouldn’t listen to her, to at least tell her who he would listen to. He gave her the name of a close, trusted male friend. She went and found that friend, convinced him of the need to get the hell out of Europe, and then brought him home. Thankfully, her husband finally saw sense and moved their family to Palestine.

Another woman had a bit more control over her own situation (she was a lawyer). She had read Mein Kampf  when it was first published and saw the writing on the wall. She asked her husband to leave Europe, but he didn’t want to leave his (very good) job and told her that he had faith in his countrymen not to allow an evil man to have his way. She sent their children to a boarding school in England, but stayed in Germany by her husband’s side. Once it was clear that if they stayed in Germany they were going to die, he fled to France but was quickly captured and killed. His wife, however, joined the French Resistance and was active for over a year before being captured and sent to Auschwitz.

(This is probably my favorite of these stories) The third story is about a young woman who saved her fiance and his father after Kristallnacht. She was at home when the soldiers came, but her fiance was working late in his shop. Worried for him, she snuck out (in the middle of all the chaos) to make sure he was alright. She found him cowering (quite understandably) in the back of his shop and then dragged him out, hoping to escape the violence. Unfortunately, they were stopped and he, along with hundreds of other men, was taken to a concentration camp. She was eventually told that she would have to go to the camp in person to free him, and so she did. Unfortunately, the only way she could get there was on a bus that was filled with SS men; she spent the entire trip smiling and flirting with them so that they would never suspect that she wasn’t supposed to be there. When she got to the camp, she convinced whoever was in charge to release her fiance. She then took him to another camp and managed to get her father-in-law to be released. Her father-in-law was a rabbi, so she grabbed a couple or witnesses and made him perform their marriage ceremony right then and there so that it would be easier for her to get her now-husband out of the country, which she did withing a few months. This woman was so bad ass that not only was her story passed around resistance circles, even the SS men told it to each other and honoured her courage. 

The moral of these stories is that men tend to trust their governments to take care of them because they always have; women know that our governments will screw us over because they always have. 

Now to be clear, these roles were never lost—the sources exist and historians know how to analyze them and have written libraries of books on the subject. The problem is that those histories and their meanings haven’t penetrated much into public conceptions of the past.

My cousin Helen will be 102 in February and she is still one of the smartest people I know . A couple of years ago she told me that after she escaped the Warsaw ghetto (she wouldn’t tell me how, although I suspect that it may have been under the dead bodies on a cart dragging out the dead, as she got in to the Warsaw Ghetto in an empty body cart) she went to the apartment of a woman she had been friends with who only knew her as the person on her forged papers, but who would not ask questions about Helen showing up without luggage or explanation.

On the third day that she was there the woman called to her excitedly, shouting “Come and see!” Helen went out onto the balcony. Smoke was rising from the ghetto a few blocks away. The Warsaw Ghetto had fallen. “Isn’t it wonderful?” asked the woman. “The Jews are burning!”

Helen said the smile on her face was the hardest thing she had ever had to do.

And Helen’s daughter mentioned that she had never heard Helen talk about that incident before. Her mother kept so much of what had happened back then to herself.

Helen’s older sister, Wanda, had false papers, worked with the Resistance and, without any training, worked as a nurse for Nazi Doctors who didn’t suspect her. (As a spy? Because her false ID was that of a nurse? I don’t know.) All the information I have about the living and the dead is fragmentary, like peering at a huge room through a tiny keyhole.

but I felt like I needed to say it somewhere.