Naruto: An exploration of fathers.
First, an admission. I freakin' love naruto. I always have. Ninjas, J-pop, animation, existentialism... what's not to love? Second, if I had the time, I would totally quote the source by referencing episode numbers. Alas, I can not do this.
This has been coming for a while. I've been wanting to write something about Naruto and its deeper themes (Neiji's fatalism, Sasuke's hatred as blindness, Naruto's emergence as a christ figure, etc.); I just haven't gotten around to it. But here I am, again. On facebook, again. Staying up all night to help the boy go to sleep after a nightmare, again. I've applied to all the jobs I can find for which I am remotely qualified, and thus have little better to do.
Something we see in the character of Naruto is his orphan nature. He has no parents, specifically, no father. It is not until Iruka takes him under his wing as his student that Naruto gets the acknowledgment he so craves. Iruka is only the beginning of Naruto's introduction into a longer spiritual lineage of teacher/student relationships... a lineage overseen by the third hokage (that we know of).
As a child, Iruka was also an orphan, and the Third Hokage would cinematicly appear to offer some wisdom when he was in his deepest sadness. Later, we find that Kakashi was at one time Iruka's commanding officer. If we trace it back, Iruka was taught by Kakashi who was taught by the Fourth Hokage who was taught by Jiraiya who was taught by the Third Hokage. All of these individual's had a hand in shaping Naruto, both directly and indirectly. Their teaching epitomizes the Will of Fire: the desire to raise the youth in truth and love.
This is really no secret. However, let us balance Naruto's lineage with that of Sasuke. Sasuke represents all that is dark within the ninja world while Naruto represents all that is light. Naruto is dedicated to stop hatred and vengeance, Sasuke thrives in it. If the light and the "will of fire" are passed through the teaching of the Third and his line, than Sasuke's spiritual lineage must represented through hatred. His lineage is as follows:
Sasuke's way of the ninja (hatred) was feuled by Itachi as his object and nurtured by Orochimaru. Itachi's hatred is fueled by Danzo as his object, and Danzo's hatred is ruled by Madara as his object, for every fear tactic Danzo uses is designed to keep the Leaf from being overtaken by ninja such as Madara. All of these men had a hand in raising Sasuke, directly or indirectly. Their teaching uses hatred, fear, and vengeance as its tool.
If you look at the generations of Naruto's teaching vs. the line of hatred in Sasuke's teaching, you'll see that Naruto is mirrored by Sasuke, Iruka by Orochimaru, Kakashi by Itachi, Jirayia by Danzo, and The Third by Madara. Thus is Naruto's light balanced by Sasuke's darkness, and continues the precarious balance of the Leaf when founded by the First Hokage and the Uchiha.
Why do I think this matters? Im not one of the fanboys who all gooey for the facts. They have to matter. Why do they matter to me?
Fathers. Disciples. Students. Mentors. All teaching is inherently spiritual because it molds the student's character. The line of teaching lasts longer than the students and teachers live. In Deuteronomy 11:19, we are given instruction to teach our sons in the way of righteousness. Not only that, but to teach our sons to teach their sons to teach their sons, and so on. When I moved to Texas, my Dad became somewhat estranged. It was my sensei who taught me about being a man. After him, I had teachers who did the same. Later, I had some friends who were older, and though they didn't admit it or like it, they were my example of what a man was. Now, I have pastors who show me, and my dad once again.
What makes a father is his teaching. Any swingin' dick can make an orphan. Any dumb ass can neglect and abuse his kid. It is our teachers who raise us, but to be clear: though a teacher may sometimes be a parent, a parent is always a teacher; the question is what do they teach? The will of fire, or the path of hatred? Do we raise our sons to be heroes or avengers?
Narutos or Sasukes?
