power to the dream

thus sprach nekki basara

0 notes &

Religion in Berserk: There seems to be a privileging of “pagan” panantheism, wherein witchcraft is actually revelation of God through nature/nature spirits. There is a special disdain for Western Christianity which is portrayed as hypocritical (in this case, Inquisition era witch-hunt references).  “Enemy” or “Barbarian” religions are decidedly Asian however (see image). Buddhism is mentioned by name (which is funny to me). Berserk also falls into the Tolkienist ethnic trap of portraying enemies racially. The Kushans are decidedly Asians/Semitic/Arab. Tolkien famously called Sauron-aligned humans “Easterlings” (Mongol types), and “Southrons” (Moors). The center in this case being a very European “Middle-Earth.” Berserk’s primary setting? Surprise surprise: it’s called “Midland” with a capital called Windham.

Religion in Berserk: There seems to be a privileging of “pagan” panantheism, wherein witchcraft is actually revelation of God through nature/nature spirits. There is a special disdain for Western Christianity which is portrayed as hypocritical (in this case, Inquisition era witch-hunt references). 

“Enemy” or “Barbarian” religions are decidedly Asian however (see image). Buddhism is mentioned by name (which is funny to me). Berserk also falls into the Tolkienist ethnic trap of portraying enemies racially. The Kushans are decidedly Asians/Semitic/Arab.

Tolkien famously called Sauron-aligned humans “Easterlings” (Mongol types), and “Southrons” (Moors). The center in this case being a very European “Middle-Earth.” Berserk’s primary setting? Surprise surprise: it’s called “Midland” with a capital called Windham.

Filed under Berserk Post-Colonial Reading The Empire Writes Back J. R. R. Tolkien Eurocentrism Anglocentrism LOL