So in class, some the clips were centered around objects like feet so I found this Youtube clip that's about Jake Sully's first day in the avatar body from the movie Avatar. Jake goes through the process of linking up with his avatar. At first, when the doctors are trying to go through the sensory reflex checks, Jake is acting like a small child who doesn't want to cooperate with them. But when I took a closer look at Jake you can tell that he's not really doing it on purpose, instead he really fascinated with his new motor control of his legs. Jake is just occupied with wriggling his brand new toes( the signifier). Jake now has this old freedom that was taken away from. He's 'whole' again and has an escaped from the reality where he's forced to appear/be weak even though he believes and struggles to show that he isn't (the signified).
The scene puts you in a position to make you feel bad for Jake because right before the clip starts he's portrayed as the 'kid no one wants to play with because he's useless.' Everyone appears to have to have this nonchalant attitude towards him especially Grace, who is almost completely nasty to him. It tries to make Jake look like maybe he's just not ready/ not the right person for what's being asked of him. After Jake escapes from the doctors he starts to run and is completely amazed that he can use his legs again. Right when he's running, the other guy/ avatar who's trying to get Jake to stop and come back, screams "We're not supposed to be running!" I just thought it was kind of ironic there was yet another example of Jake being told of things he can't do. Eventually he stops and feels the nature around him especially the dirt under his feet like it's the best thing in world , that he discovered something new but also re-familiarizing himself with something he used to know a long time ago.
While watching this scene I felt this need to root for Jake like he was the underdog and in a way he was. I didn't care he wasn't acting age-appropriate, all I wanted to do was to scream that he should just keep running. To keep going, that he can do it despite everything and everyone telling him that he can't, that he's not good enough (effects). I really connected with this notion/feeling of getting back on your feet despite everything that said and done and just feeling the need to 'run' and enjoy the new freedom.
I like the way you put his situation and feeling as "getting back on your feet." This is exactly what the avatar body does for Jake. He is able to be connected with parts of himself he hasn't had the ability to before. The simpathy for Jake is there from the start, but what I admire about his character is that he never let his disability bring him down. Even when his peers were so hard on him, he kept his dignity by not lashing out. Cool piece to read!
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