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THREAD: The true meaning behind Dr. Xeno and Stanley Snyder's reunion in Z = 192
Note: To follow along with this thread, it is highly recommended that you read my previous thread!
I apologise in advance for spelling and grammar mistakes https://twitter.com/jiayieve/status/1317321778029424642?s=20
I apologise in advance for spelling and grammar mistakes https://twitter.com/jiayieve/status/1317321778029424642?s=20
This shittily written essay will consist of three parts:
1. Reflection on ch 170
2. Significance of ch 176
3. The reunion in ch 192
All analyses done here are purely reliant on manga content up to ch 192 only. Hoping I'm going somewhere with all this lol
1. Reflection on ch 170
2. Significance of ch 176
3. The reunion in ch 192
All analyses done here are purely reliant on manga content up to ch 192 only. Hoping I'm going somewhere with all this lol
1. Reflection on ch 170
In this section I will be reflecting on the relevance of my argument made back in october 2020 on why this page (left) was the most powerful stanley/xeno moment
In this section I will be reflecting on the relevance of my argument made back in october 2020 on why this page (left) was the most powerful stanley/xeno moment
Overall, the argument made previously is still applicable after 22 chapters worth of plot development. It is still too early to make a proper judgement on "symbolism of the fringe", while "meaning of the composition" and "motif of stanley's one sided look" are highly relevant
However, before we move on to the next two sections, it is essential to first address the flaws in my understanding of xeno’s character in my previous thread:
A big part of xeno’s motivation is still to become dictator for his pursuits in science. As seen from his actions throughout the arc, he is selfish and self-serving. However, it was a great misjudgement of mine to say that due to these ideologies, he doesn’t care for stanley
Although it is true that there has been a case of the one-sided look from Stanley, that along with other things doesn’t equate to xeno not having mutual feelings. I misinterpreted and did not consider the concept of mutual trust, which is at the core of their relationship
I would like to propose my new interpretation from all the motifs I have identified. There was never an imbalance or separation of soul (Aristotle) between xeno and stanley. Instead, we were looking in as outsiders in corn city arc, while South America arc was an inside look
2. Significance of ch 176
The kidnapping of xeno is the (assumed) first time the two have been separated by force since revival. Therefore South America arc for them is a test and showcase of their connection as soulmates
The kidnapping of xeno is the (assumed) first time the two have been separated by force since revival. Therefore South America arc for them is a test and showcase of their connection as soulmates
Z = 176 was the first encounter the two had since the kidnapping. Stanley immediately concluded that xeno would be sending a message of some kind. Except for personal intuition, there was no other clue that xeno will send Morse code through blinks
Judging by the dialogue in this scene, despite the unsure tone at the beginning (interpreted from the ...s), “that’s the kind of man he is” is said with absolute confidence. This suggests that even stanley couldn’t really explain except for the fact that he knows xeno super well
Now analysing this scene using the theories of stanley's ‘one sided’ look and the philosophies of soulmates (Aristotle/Plato), it is important to note two things. First is the communication through eyes, and the second is xeno returning Stanley’s ‘one sided’ look
As previously interpreted, xeno never looked at Stanley in any of the panels until now and that therefore meant he is disconnected. However, this has been concluded as a flawed conclusion because this scene in 176 proved it wrong.
The two are very much connected because they truly understand each other and this leads to mutual trust. For the whole Morse code to work, it wasn’t just a matter of stanley trusting xeno will send a message, but just as importantly xeno trusting stanley will know to look for it
And this trust is also represented visually through the symbolism of eye contact. Although there was significant distance and for the panels below it seems like direct eye contact by composition, the two, in a sense, still looked directly at each other.
During corn city arc, it seemed like there was a power imbalance between them. But the reality was this supposed imbalance was just banter for the two. Because despite his insistence that he could figure things out, stanley still very much needed xeno as much as xeno needed him
The new interpretation of 170 and earlier I’d like to propose is that xeno never looked at stanley because he trusted him. Without needing to look back at him for reassurance, xeno can look forward confidently while fully depending on stanley
Stanley plays his part by keeping an eye out for xeno. He is the one responsible for xeno’s safety and pursuit for world domination. It will be foolish for xeno to be blind towards stanley by desires, because those desires are all dependent on stanley. It is collaborative work
For the Morse code to work, both had to play their equal part. Despite the separation/distance, they were still one soul. Stanley knows xeno the way xeno knows stanley. Their trust in each other is what eventually reunited them.
3. The reunion in ch 192
From the analysis done in section 1 and 2, we have now set down the foundation for explaining the true meaning of stanley and xeno’s reunion.
From the analysis done in section 1 and 2, we have now set down the foundation for explaining the true meaning of stanley and xeno’s reunion.
We could interpret both of these scenes as mental images. They do not correlate what is happening on the outside, instead representing the thoughts of the inside. Unlike what I’ve previously interpreted, xeno’s sinister smile isn’t plainly about his focus on dictatorship
Instead it represents his ulterior motives of defeating KOS while he’s kept captive. Although he did go along with KOS’s plans and helped them out, it is repeated by xeno that he is still very much on Stanley’s side. Because stanley is his one true ally he can trust and depend on
Adding on to my previous comments on the meaning behind xeno’s look, we could see that it is similar to the concept of stanley’s fringe. While in operation mode, xeno does not need to look at stanley. But when it comes to more intimate moments, his eyes are only for stanley’s
After the entirety of this arc, the two finally reunited and had a brief special moment where they broke away from their operation mode. The true meaning of their reunion wasn’t just a sappy moment. It was the moment that defined their mutual trust and care for each other
In order to analyse the significance of the visual composition, we must first familiarise ourselves with the philosophy used to describe xeno and Stanley’s relationship. We will be analysing using the concept of equality in friendship and the Greek mythology of soulmates
From the analysis done in section 2 and the equal panels of the reunion, it is easy to apply Aristotle’s concept of “equality of reciprocal goodwill.” They wouldn’t have been able to reunite if that was missing. Because stanley could have easily abandoned and took charge instead
Now to the juicy part. The very juicy part. So mind breaking that I’m breaking out of character and wasting cord count. Their reunion perfectly fit the Greek mythology of soulmates. If we were to remove this crucial context, the composition is quite unconventional (and ugly)
As stated by Plato, soulmates were joined as one being. “A head with two faces”, separated and condemned to spend their life searching for their other half. After the long chase across America, stanley and xeno finally found their other half again.
Along with xeno returning the look to stan both by physical space and panel composition, it is drawn as if they have joined. To form a body with a head with two faces like the Greek myth. This sets in stone that they are true soulmates who are inseparable
It was never one sided. It seemed like it for an outsider, but it is clear that these two are mutual as mutuality can be. If they were the main characters, this arc will be the test of their relationship and how they triumphantly proved their connection
Their relationship is one of true love. One that goes beyond romantic (Aristotle). And their reunion in z = 192 proved it. There is so much more to it than just a brief moment of banter. This is the showcase of their true connection. Soul, body, and all.
And that is all for now! Thank you so much for reading if you reached this far. I honestly lost my fucking mind, this is THE perfect execution of their reunion. Genuinely can’t believe that I was actually up to something half a year ago.
Xeno finally looked back at Stanley.
Xeno finally looked back at Stanley.
