#identity switch

Anyways, I got interested in writing about Norton first because of a comment from one person on a Discord server I frequently attend:

“I see FG as a physical representation of Norton’s anger and malice…the dude’s just really fucking violent /aff”

I thought that was a very interesting perspective of “Fool’s Gold” because it’s not wrong, but of course, I have more to say on the matter. For this next section, I will more or less copy and pasted what I wrote in my Identity Switches post.

A Battle of Id vs. Ego (“Fool’s Gold" vs. Prospector)

Definitely give this video a watch to understand Norton a bit more.

In the concept video for “Fool’s Gold,” Sev, the character designer for him explains the identity switch system through the lens of designing Norton’s hunter persona through the concept of the Id and the Ego. Gear up for a brief psychology lesson (skip this section if you've already read my Identity Switches post):

Id: The instinct-driven, “I want this now,” instant gratification part of ourselves that is motivated by primal instincts. “The id is the impulsive (and unconscious) part of our psyche that responds directly and immediately to basic urges, needs, and desires…the id lacks any sense of right or wrong…concerned only with fulfilling instinctive needs.” Think of it like the little devil on your shoulder at worst. (SimplyPsychology)

Ego: “…the rational part of the psyche that mediates between the instinctual desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego, operating primarily at the conscious level.” The ego is shaped by from societal norms, rules and etiquette. How should we behave in society? How should we act in front of other people? Interestingly, despite having a moral compass unlike the id, the ego doesn’t necessarily have a concept of right or wrong either. Something is good if it doesn’t cause harm to itself or the id. The ego also tends to be weaker than the id, who the ego tries its best to point in the right direction. “If the ego fails to use the reality principle (finding realistic ways to satisfy the id in a way that follows societal standards) and anxiety is experienced, unconscious defense mechanisms are employed.” (SimplyPsychology) 

IDV Example:

Fool’s Gold (Id): I need to break out of this wretched fate and find this treasure even at the cost of the lives and blood of others (plus it sounds fun~). Time for an explosion--boom~! (Plus, that sounds fun, too)

Prospector (ego): I shouldn’t blow up the mine because killing is against the law, it won’t do me any good (no need for all that attention too) but I’m so close…

So, that just means "Fool's Gold" is just an angry violent rock monster, right?

Well, let's look at how "Fool's Gold" came to be. Norton’s personality in his lore has been said to constantly switch back and forth after the Golden Cave incident where he caused the deaths of 13 miners.

"Eventually he gave up manual labor, and became a prospector. But his personality became all the more extreme, at times gloomy and depressed, while at times explosively hot tempered and avaricious."

-From the Famitsu article (can be found on IDV wiki)

More than likely, this has to do with the fact that now two sides of Norton are now present with "Fool's Gold" taking more of a back seat until something once again pushes Norton to the edge. Except now Norton's suppressed personality is free, it's harder to contain it like before hence why others noticed a personality change in him.

We clearly see at the end of Norton’s character trailer that “Fool’s Gold” is "born" and created from the ashes, debris, and rocks from the explosion he set off in the Golden Cave.

As stated from the concept video, the petrification of “Fool’s Gold” not only aligns with his job as a miner but it also emphasizes the dehumanization of himself as a virtuous person who had built this shell that once stood on morality and societal norms which completely shattered once he lit that spark.

With all that said, is “Fool’s Gold” just Norton’s repressed anger and malice? Irrepressibly violent and a force of destruction? No. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he is but there’s more to him than that. But first, let's explore the darker side of "Fool's Gold" (ironic to say considering some believe "Fool's Gold is JUST Norton's dark side and Prospector is the light).

Anyways, I have already briefly touched upon this in previous posts I’ve made about Norton, specifically in “Norton’s Eyes” and in one of my first posts on here discussing “Fool’s Gold”’s Infernal Sin cosmetic vs. Prospector’s Orphan of Goetia cosmetic. Here is the image I pasted in that post:

Note: Prospector - “Silent and repressed persona”

“Fool’s Gold” - “The complete eruption of hatred, desire, and malice”

The latter’s characteristics is emphasized by the fact they basically made him into a lava demon who awakened once Prospector approached him. It is said in the continuation of the Essence story that "Fool's Gold" consumes Prospector. Rather unfortunately, it ends with this remainder of Norton's reality:

"The layers of exploited wages couldn't cure the past, the physical trauma, and the fear of the claustrophobic place. The molten lava of anger beneath the calm shell finally poured out, and it all ended as he was headed."

This actually reminds me of Norton's Nymph Character Song. For those unfamiliar, I translated the Japanese version of the song on this blog though I'm not the greatest at Japanese yet. On the other hand, it was pointed out to me that the English version has slightly different lyrics so I either translated poorly or the English team translated differently to let the song flow better in that language maybe.

Regardless, this is what I said about the song (again, this is about the Japanese version! In the English, Norton sounds a bit more...aggressive?):

After reading some of the comments under the YT video and re-reading the lyrics, it feels as if Norton fully acknowledges his crime and carries not only the guilt from it, but the trauma knowing full well he'll eventually have to pay for what he's done. However, his desperation to crawl and tear his way out of his unfortunate and miserable life is stronger than the weight of the sins he has committed. The symbolism of the die in this song also alludes to the fact that he is aware that his actions and the consequences of said actions are a gamble towards a better life, and only time will tell what the outcome is.

I'll definitely have to take a more proper look at the English version of the song when I can. Probably I can make a separate post on that since this is already atrociously long as is. However, I hope the summary above is enough for you all for now. Norton himself seems to have partially accepted the darkness in him, but does it mean he is completely consumed by anger and malice shown through "Fool's Gold"?

Well, as I said before, "Fool's Gold" is more than him being the physical manifestation of Norton's anger, vengeance and violent side, I'd say he's every emotion and feeling under the sun that's been suppressed by Norton for years. You must remember that Norton has been working in the mines since he was a child. This man has never had a day where he could really be himself and do what he wanted from a tender age.

Considering the recent return of Ivory Tower and since this is the first time yours truly is experiencing it, I totally believe this cause Norton is a VERY different person in that AU. (More unrecognizable than freaking Summer Story Norton).

Dare I say, "Fool's Gold" also serves to show us how childish and silly Norton can be. I mean, I feel like he expresses is inner child in some ways that we don't really give him credit for.

He looks very playful here with his pickaxe. Let's ride into the sunset~! type vibes...

I also found out the "Request Red Packet" emote exists and the only survivors who have it are Norton and "Memory." For those not in the know, red envelopes/packets filled with money are usually given out to children by their elders (parents, grandparents, etc). I just find it funny that this grown man shares an emote with the only child survivor. Granted, it probably was just given to him to emphasize his greediness and love for money, but still...he's one of the children.

Anyways, I also found it very amusing that while Prospector likes to have a hearty meal of Roast Beef and Pudding (not that kinda pudding silly), "Fool's Gold" loves Butter Ice Cream. Norton as a hunter apparently has more of a sweet tooth which is usually associated with kids (and women, so I guess he can also be said to be part of the ladies...haha...bad joke, sorry).

Ahh, a good ole Sunday Roast. Roast Beef and (Yorkshire) Pudding is rather delicious. I've tried it when I spent some time in England years ago. The pudding is more bread-like than the creamy dessert my American compatriots are thinking of.

On the other hand...

Now, Norton...what is this? The creepy blue hand reaching out as if it's begging for salvation under the collapsed mine...oh my. Apparently, after Googling it, butter ice cream is a thing and the butter may also have elements of custard...so despite the ghoulish presentation, butter ice cream may be worth trying.

Ok, to be fair, Gold Miner (his Deduction fit here) is from a Charlie Chaplain movie, so he is bound to be comedic. BUT it's still saying something they chose it for him anyway. I mean...look at this actual fool..

I just can't see "Fool's Gold" as completely violent and angry all the time. Sure, he is the manifestation of all of those negative feelings that bogged down Prospector who did his best to show a quiet diligent image of a man who does his work to the fullest while not drawing attention to himself, BUT "Fool's Gold" is more than just that.

Also, why was my dude in the official art for Children's Day this year? I guess even IDV is saying he is one of the kids. It kills me that he is the only hunter here too lol

Case in point, when Norton is able to be freed from the mines and/or the cruel clutches of poverty, he is a rather bright and friendly individual. We saw this in the summer event recently and now the recent return of the Ivory Tower storyline:

Bro has never looked so happy in his life, I swear. I just got this fit and even though it's a B-tier, I feel happy that he's happy for once, y'know?

Consider also his Ronald of Nice persona. Ronald actually is part of the Truth and Inference Universe and thus has his own lore. It actually lists his likes as: Discovering others' secrets, harmless mischief. How charming. It's important to note that Norton's upcoming A-tier skin, Dazzling Lone Wolf is just Ronald who has come into the inheritance of a large sum of money. And, oh boy, it shows:

Like, this is the gloomy and reticent Norton Campbell?? Where??? Who IS this???

My point is, when Norton can actually feel like a person and not just a tool for someone else's labor or just a cog in the mining industry that's easily replaced (especially considering how EASY it was to lose one's life in the mines) or worry about how poor he is, this man can actually feel like he can live.

Inherently, he isn't really a bad person and considering he is shown in a mental struggle against himself before lighting up the Golden Cave and before succumbing to Infernal Sin in the Essence trailer, I'd say it's a small miracle this man didn't implode sooner. "Fool's Gold" in a way is also a coping mechanism because who else does he have but himself to rely on? The world brought him nothing but pain, misery, and loss, so it's about time to lash back at it, no? No matter the cost, as the ends justify the means.

Okay, so in conclusion, Norton is just...super complicated to write about. Despite how stupidly long this post is, I feel as if I could go on and on but I'm going to leave it at that. Since it got kinda dark at the end there, I want to leave off with something light-hearted but still relevant. I saw this Twitter post a while ago from Hisu, who is like the #1 Norton fan, I think...I don't know, they do remind me a lot of Chia, the #1 Alice lover.

Seraphina's comment sent me into orbit lol

I'm going to end the post by giving you all a taste of Norton's humming. If you don't play him, you may not know that if you idle long enough with him (i.e. if you're not chasing survivors), he will start humming a little tune. I find it rather...calming in a way? Like he's humming a lullaby though the soothing effect is kinda ruined by his dark chuckle at the end, but that's "Fool's Gold" for you.

The fact he hums at all is interesting but you can hear Norton hum a couple times in his character trailer as well. Guess it's a habit from his mining days. Gotta pass the time somehow, in some way, y'know?