Speech following the return of Toruk Makto

Toruk Makto

     I choose to analyze the scene right after Jake Sully returns on Toruk Makto. This almost mythical creature is very dangerous, and evokes fear in the clan. It had not been conquered for many generations. In fact, the last time it was captured the clan was in a similar struggle for survival. The leader of the clan of that time made a bond with Toruk Makto, just as Jake does here. The Toruk Makto is able to unite all of the clans across Pandora to fight for the Na'vi's cause. Jake's arrival on the bird signifies his ability to lead the Na'vi in the war to preserve their homeland. Prior to this scene, the Na'vi felt Jake had betrayed them because he had not warned them of the attack on their hometree, but now know he is committed to them. Jake then makes a speech, entitled "This is our land". He says, "you fly with me now, my brothers, sisters, and we will show the sky people they cannot take whatever they want, and that this is our land".

     This scene attempts to make the audience feel a sense of hope. We are placed on the side of the Na'vi by deeply involving us in their personal and emotional lives. It grabs the hearts of the audience as it relates to the lives of many. At some point in everyone's life they feel helpless. This motivational speech is very similar to speeches in the real world. The speaker stands above the people, as a symbol of dominance and strength. He has several people up on the 'stage' behind him, which shows he is supported. He has arrived from the sky to be their savior, which seems very familiar to the Christian texts speaking of the arrival of Jesus to save humanity. The last part of the speech is shot upward, as if the camera is on the ground with the Na'vi people. It is as if the audience is looking up to Jake, and it makes them feel more involved and attached to his mission.

     I have been studying philosophers in my political science class this semester, and this scene reminds me of the theories of two in particular. Ibn Khaldun, a muslim philosopher, has a theory called group feeling.  This is the strong attachment to the community, and is usually formed between people of the same culture and family. Jake proved he was worthy of belonging to their community when he conquered the Toruk Makto, and further increases group feeling with his word choice in his speech (brothers, sisters, our land, ect.). This also relates closely to the theories of John Locke. He says everyone has the right to life, liberty and property. If anyone violates these rights, it is expected that you will act in whatever means are necessary to get these rights back. The sky people are violating all three of these natural rights, and all the Na'vi people needed was Jake to step up as a leader so they could fight back. This speech is a message to the community to take action to preserve their rights. Many leaders in the history of the world have stepped up like Jake Sully did to fight for rights, with one great example being Martin Luther King Junior. I believe the message in Avatar is completely relevant to the politics of our past and present societies, and the images James Cameron created in the speech scene reinforce my argument.