Avatar Symbolism

Requested: Zuko’s dream with the dragons  

But I find the portrayal of Zuko’s character, while similar to/of previous depictions of his confusion, is particularly interesting in this scene.

Zuko, who believes he’s gotten exactly what he’s wanted, is not…reformed yet. Though he has an understanding of the world and is able to grasp that the Fire Nation is not exactly good, he still hasn’t quite removed his honour, and how he gains it, from his father’s approval. His moral compass is once again at its peak, and Zuko fails to really gauge his unhappiness. Something along the lines of: he’s gotten his father’s acceptance, so where oh where is his honour?

This dream fully encapsulates this because he is not burnt Zuko. He is, instead, scarless, and thereby looks exactly like Ozai.

Zuko, in his head, is at a point that he would’ve been at had his father not given him that scar.

This juxtaposition to his reality, while not wholly unique, is an exact depiction of Ozai’s psychological hold on him.

Katara: Now that I know he's out there... now that I know we can find him, I feel like I have no choice. [“The Southern Raiders”]

Aang: I guess I don’t have a choice, Momo. I have to kill the Fire Lord. [“Sozin’s Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters”]

and then they both realize that they do have a choice:

i made this with the prompt “redemption”, i like to imagine that a good jet redemption arc would include him getting closure with both of the water tribe sibilings, but mostly katara.