Zaheer: Why kill the Avatar? - video essay [Avatar The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra] - Summary

Summary

The essay explores the character of Zaheer from the Legend of Korra and his anarchist philosophy. Zaheer believes that people are not truly free if they are under the potential threat of the loss of their freedom or if they are indoctrinated by their culture into believing institutions of authority should have authority over them. He sees the Avatar as an institution of authority that needs to be eliminated, as it has become a symbol of reverence and allegiance, and its power is not justified. Zaheer argues that the Avatar's power is limitless and that its moral judgment is fallible, leading to detrimental consequences. He believes that people should only be loyal to themselves and those they love, rather than to institutions of authority. The essay concludes that Zaheer's philosophy is based on the idea that nobody knows what is best for someone other than themselves, and that institutions of authority, including the Avatar, are inherently oppressive.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the text:

1. Zaheer, the antagonist of the third season of Legend of Korra, is an anarchist who believes in individual freedom and is skeptical of authority.
2. Zaheer's philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and the need to eliminate institutions of authority that restrict people's freedoms.
3. He believes that people should not be forced to abide by laws dictated by others and that they should not be indoctrinated into believing that institutions of authority have authority over them.
4. Zaheer sees the Avatar as an institution of authority that needs to be eliminated, as it has become a symbol of power and reverence that people are indoctrinated into believing.
5. The Avatar has become a cultural icon that people revere and obey without questioning, which Zaheer sees as a form of oppression.
6. Zaheer believes that the Avatar's power is limitless and that it has the potential to be used for good or evil, but ultimately, it is a threat to individual freedom.
7. The creators of Legend of Korra, Mike and Bryan, intended to create a more nuanced and complex villain in Zaheer, with a philosophy that challenges the audience's assumptions.
8. Zaheer's philosophy is based on the idea that nobody knows what is best for someone else, and that people should be free to make their own decisions without interference from institutions of authority.
9. The Red Lotus, Zaheer's organization, aims to free people from the oppression of institutions of authority and to create a world where people are truly free to make their own choices.
10. Zaheer sees the Avatar as a symbol of the oppressive power that people have been indoctrinated into believing is necessary for their protection, but which ultimately restricts their freedom.
11. The Avatar has become an institution of authority that people have been raised to believe they owe allegiance to, but which is ultimately a threat to individual freedom.
12. Zaheer's philosophy challenges the idea that the Avatar is a benevolent institution that always acts in the best interests of others, and instead sees it as a potential threat to individual freedom.
13. Zaheer believes that people should be free to make their own decisions and live their own lives without interference from institutions of authority.
14. The Legend of Korra series explores the theme of authority and power, and challenges the audience to question their assumptions about the nature of power and authority.
15. Zaheer's character serves as a foil to the Avatar, Korra, and challenges her assumptions about her role and power in the world.