Steven Universe offers highly nuanced subtexts, which is a credit to the writers, the voice actors, and the artists on the series. This provides a brilliant layered metaphor: in order for Amethyst to find peace, she has to be herself (be more like amethyst). Amethyst represents spiritual healing, calmness, and peace, and Amethyst’s gem rests over her heart. Ironically, the mineralogical meaning of amethyst (the stone) shows that the solution is inward. Much of Amethyst’s internal conflict goes away when she finally accepts who she is and who she isn’t. To oversimplify it, the answer provided in queer theory, and in Steven Universe, is self-determination. Amethyst is an allegory for issues regarding performed identity, and how these problems are difficult to solve since they usually reify binaries (ie, make a choice – you’re black or you’re white, you’re straight or you’re gay, you’re femme or you’re butch). This want or need to change is a critique of how even within both the multi-racial and multi-gendered communities’ pushes to acknowledge diverse experiences, there’s still pressure to - and some choose to - adhere to binaries. This power is paradoxical it allows her to conform, but is also code-switching. She relates to Steven (who’s coded as bi-racial) the most, has darker-colored (purple) skin with white hair (a contrast symbolic of her being part-white, part-person of color ), and laments about not fitting in (her insecurities about “being short” and not strong enough are codes for her not fitting into to a defined race or sexuality).Īmethyst’s ambiguity is symbolically reinforced by her ability to morph into things (an owl, baby seat, helicopter, wrestler, clone of another Gem, etc.). ![]() Amethyst has been read as African-American, Latina, or East Asian, but a case can be made that she’s coded as racially ambiguous. While Pearl’s subtext is intriguing, Amethyst is one of the most fascinating characters in terms of the ambiguity and the fluidity of her race, gender, and sexuality. when one partner is oriented towards polyamory, while the other, in order to stay in the relationship, represses their desire for monogamy. when one partner’s sexuality is fluid and the other’s is closer to a binary 2. It also, however, serves as a proxy for two problems that can arise specific to queer relationships: 1. Pearl and Rose’s relationship operates as a universal metaphor for being in love with someone who’s not in love with you. She also reveals her feelings of betrayal, realizing that her bond with Rose wasn’t as special as she wanted it to be. Even the title (“Rose’s Scabbard”) is a metaphor for her opening up (a scabbard is the sheath for a sword, so Pearl “putting away her weapon” is symbolic for her letting her guard down). By her finally opening up, we get a deeper look into Pearl as a three-dimensional character. During the virtual conversation (which she recited verbatim) she tells Rose “I will do anything for you”. ![]() In “Rose’s Scabbard”, Pearl opens up about her feelings towards Rose, using a hologram to recall a discussion the two once had. We see this in her jealousy and resentment towards Steven’s dad for “stealing” Rose, and her continual attempts to convince everyone that she and Rose had a “special relationship”. Pearl has internal conflict from being in love with the Crystal Gem’s former leader Rose Quartz (Susan Egan), who symbolically died (gave up her physical form) to give birth to Steven. ![]() ![]() Pearl, coded as white (though others have read her as Asian) and femme, displays the most overt queer romance themes in Steven Universe‘s characters. This key thread throughout the series is illustrated through the characters Garnet (Estelle), Amethyst (Michaela Dietz), and Pearl (Deedee Magno). The intergalactic family, created by Rebecca Sugar (Cartoon Network’s first solo female show creator), is full of underlying messages about same-sex relationships, a subtext that has brought the show immense acclaim and controversy. Although the show’s explicit narrative is fun, witty, and engaging, Steven Universe provides a masterful example of a series with a unique, rich subtext. The show follows a young Steven (Zach Callison) raised by three magical alien warriors - the Crystal Gems - sworn to protect the universe. Steven Universe is one of the most progressive kids cartoons ever created.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |