There's something I remembered when rereading the latest chapters:
http://ykk.misago.org/Afternoon2003/26
Alpha tells Maruko that she doesn't "put on a happy face and pretend to like people". But what is with Maruko's "work face"? I wonder what Maruko thought when Alpha told her that...
- Amrita
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
I think you hit the nail on the head. Maruko could not understand Alpha’s simple sincerity and goodwill. She imagined that Alpha was as false and conniving as she was. Now she must confront her own hypocrisy.
Maruko’s “work face” is an act (and a rather sad one, I must say). Alpha’s manner is genuine. Maruko was jealous of Alpha’s enlightenment. Now she is ashamed to be caught acting falsely.
- Loran
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
At the risk of oversimplifying or stereotyping, this is all very interesting considering the Asian custom of presenting a public face to the world, what the Japanese refer to as tatemae and hon'ne. (Tatemae is one's public face, hon'ne is one's private opinions.)
But I have found that this duality is actually not as highly valued as someone who has "no front and back" but "treats all people the same way". Alpha-chan is all hon'ne, while Maruko-chan has fallen into the human pattern of behaviour, presenting tatemae to strangers.
Since Alpha is always hon'ne, she has developed a well-rounded and adult personality, while Maruko, always presenting tatemae, has never had much of a chance to become as solcialized as Alpha. So she is emotionally stunted (jealous, manipulative) and embarrassed to have her two "sides" discovered (by Alpha in the last chapter.)
But I believe that prolonged exposure to Alpha is going to develop Maruko quite a bit. She is already changing for the better. But she will always be the quirky Maruko-chan we all love! heh.
- Ian Darrow
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
it's pretty strong to say "false and conniving" or "confront her own hypocrisy" because i truly don't see Maruko convincing her own self as being that deceptive. neither did i see anything about a "HAPPY face."
if wanting to say that Alpha's more mature and socially apt, i'd like to argue that seeing as Alpha's cafe is in the middle of nowhere and demeanor towards customers is... odd, while Maruko has a very business-like atmosphere towards herself and her customers, it'd be Maruko which "understands" this human world better, if not in a more cynical/pessimistic light. Alpha's always open-minded, while Maruko seems to have that personal comfort sphere around her (like living in NYC)
what if, to theorize, Maruko's actually as thrilled about her own art business as Alpha is about her cafe business (and shows just about as much enthusiasm for success, etc etc). but after coming off as being so independently minded and jealous of Alpha (not Alpha's "enlightenment" but her deep relationship with Kokone), she lost face in terms of her "rough-around-the-edges" demeanor in front of Alpha, which might have made her say it's her "work face" as a petty excuse for her actions. it seems more like a parellel than a contrast, no?
i really just think that Maruko's just as curious about Alpha as Kokone has, but Maruko's approaching it from a distance rather than right up close... but you guys are all entitled to your opinion, which i guess is what this manga's REALLY about to me - perspectives.
now, i know this might sound a lot like i'm trying to debunk all your ideas, but it's not. it's interesting to see other ppl's perspectives, as always. hope you guys understand what the hell i'm saying!
- jazzmatazztic
Thursday, August 26, 2004
it's pretty strong to say "false and conniving" or "confront her own hypocrisy" because i truly don't see Maruko convincing her own self as being that deceptive. neither did i see anything about a "HAPPY face."
if wanting to say that Alpha's more mature and socially apt, i'd like to argue that seeing as Alpha's cafe is in the middle of nowhere and demeanor towards customers is... odd, while Maruko has a very business-like atmosphere towards herself and her customers, it'd be Maruko which "understands" this human world better, if not in a more cynical/pessimistic light. Alpha's always open-minded, while Maruko seems to have that personal comfort sphere around her (like living in NYC)
what if, to theorize, Maruko's actually as thrilled about her own art business as Alpha is about her cafe business (and shows just about as much enthusiasm for success, etc etc). but after coming off as being so independently minded and jealous of Alpha (not Alpha's "enlightenment" but her deep relationship with Kokone), she lost face in terms of her "rough-around-the-edges" demeanor in front of Alpha, which might have made her say it's her "work face" as a petty excuse for her actions. it seems more like a parellel than a contrast, no?
i really just think that Maruko's just as curious about Alpha as Kokone has, but Maruko's approaching it from a distance rather than right up close... but you guys are all entitled to your opinion, which i guess is what this manga's REALLY about to me - perspectives.
now, i know this might sound a lot like i'm trying to debunk all your ideas, but it's not. it's interesting to see other ppl's perspectives, as always. hope you guys understand what the hell i'm saying!
- jazzmatazztic
Thursday, August 26, 2004
crap, it posted twice... sorry
but i'd like to add that Maruko is truly more in touch with being human. her acting irrationally at times, and the way she distances herself from Alpha and Kokone when she's jealous, sad, etc is something i can empathize with more than with Kokone or Alpha's personalities.
Alpha seems more quirky to me.. lol. and i guess if you look at Alpha and Maruko's relationship with their owners, Alpha is that dedicated child who sticks by her parents' side, while Maruko is the rebellious type who wants to go on her own path. truly, the more i delve into the manga, the more i'm amazed by its subtlety and profoundness.
oh, and Maruko's not my fav. character :þ
- jazzmatazztic
Thursday, August 26, 2004
crap, it posted twice... sorry
but i'd like to add that Maruko is truly more in touch with being human. her acting irrationally at times, and the way she distances herself from Alpha and Kokone when she's jealous, sad, etc is something i can empathize with more than with Kokone or Alpha's personalities.
Alpha seems more quirky to me.. lol. and i guess if you look at Alpha and Maruko's relationship with their owners, Alpha is that dedicated child who sticks by her parents' side, while Maruko is the rebellious type who wants to go on her own path. truly, the more i delve into the manga, the more i'm amazed by its subtlety and profoundness.
oh, and Maruko's not my fav. character :þ
- jazzmatazztic
Thursday, August 26, 2004
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