A Violet Evergarden partial analysis
“I want to know what I love you means” are the famous words spoken by Violet Evergarden following the death of her major. Growing up in a violent environment, knowing nothing but the art of war, Violet was always depicted as a simple combat weapon; her only purpose being a soldier serving at war. Despite the negative repercussions this had on Violet’s perspective regarding emotions, Gilbert, her major, believed that she was a real human being with a heart and with thoughts of her own. Violet knew nothing more than life on the battlefield, quickly responding to every order she got, even if it meant hurting or killing someone. During the final battle at war, both her and her major were in fatal condition. Violet sacrificed and lost both of her arms in continuous attempts to save him, but the hopeless situation quickly led to his death. Prior to his passing, Gilbert left Violet with one last command; to live and to be free, and then proceeded to confess that he loved her. With that being his final moment, Violet was left confused and shaken, not knowing the meaning behind the heavy words he last spoke.
Following that event, Violet was taken in by Gilbert’s friend’s business, CH Post Company in which she worked as an Auto Memory Doll. Her job consisting of writing letters for others, Violet’s lack of understanding when it comes to emotions quickly brought anger to her clients. Heartfelt love letters, emotional familial letters as well as friendship letters being the main point of her requests, Violet slowly learns the meaning behind what love truly is. As she traveled the world to meet her clients requests, we get to perceive how Violet starts to come in touch with her feelings and starts to understand what Gilbert’s last words to her really meant.
Symbolism in Violet Evergarden:
1- Violet’s name: “You won’t be a tool but a person worthy of that name.”
Violet had always been depicted as a mere war tool, impractical unless used on the battlefield. Upon meeting Gilbert, he treated her as if she was human; something even she could never perceive herself as. Gilbert assigning her a name was a starting path to Violet being seen as a true person with feelings and with views of her own. Violets symbolize loyalty and remembrance, both being themes that are frequently referenced in the story. Her loyalty towards Gilbert blossomed from following every single one of his orders to the desire of fathoming his final words to her. Violet’s character developed into someone who was able to ache and care for another, and finally earned the worthiness of possessing that name, just like Gilbert once promised her.
2- Character design; Violet’s arms
During the war, both of Violet’s arms killed and injured a large number of people. Later on, we can see that she lost those very same arms on the battlefield, which are then replaced by metal prosthetic arms. This symbolizes a large change in Violet’s identity, her ‘old’ arms were used to cause harm to people she faced and built up fear within everyone who encountered her. The new arms she possessed, however, were operated to create heartfelt and beautiful letters that touched and brought joy to whomever they were written for. Violet’s arms ‘falling off’ during that scene whilst trying to save Gilbert is also representative of how he is the reason her old identity was shed, to welcome a new and better one.
3- The puppy and Violet (TW: mentions of suicide)
On episode 1 of the show, Hodgins offers Violet 3 stuffed animals whilst they are en route to the city. She ends up choosing the puppy one as it evokes the memory of when Dietfried referred to her as ‘Gilbert’s dog’. In episode 9, Violet is at her lowest point; the guilt and culpability that she feels due to her past actions fuels up her self hatred. She tosses all her belongings on the floor, except for the stuffed animal Hodgins gifted to her; Violet stops herself from pushing it away. The puppy represents herself, and her role as Gilbert’s dog. Despite everything, she still has the desire to hold on to this futile purpose. Instead of throwing and hitting the plush onto the ground, Violet decides to throw herself away; she tries to commit suicide by choking herself but fortunately doesn’t follow through with it.
Contrast and development in Violet’s character:
As mentioned several times before, people’s perspective of Violet during the war was always pejorative. People brought no attention to her unless it had to do with battle or violence. However, in the Violet Evergarden movie, we can recognize that Violet’s character development made people love and admire her for the person she has grown to be:
“Her existence was hidden from everyone. However, people that knew about her said that she was a weapon. She was just a tool without a heart.”
“There was a popular doll who lived on this island and who everyone loved. Her name was Violet Evergarden.”
This beginning and end comparison shows how much she has grown throughout the whole series. People no longer view her as a dehumanized war tool, but instead, she is seen as someone who is able to connect many people by crafting endearing and sensible letters. Violet’s legacy is now looked up to and honored by many.
Violet’s character development is also noticed during the famous “I am burning” scene. Towards the beginning of the show, Hodgins crudely told Violet that she is quote on quote burning up right now because of the things she has done in her past. Not understanding that his words are a metaphor for how Violet’s gruesome past will one day catch up to her, Violet checks her body for any sign of a fire, and reassures Hodgins that she is not actually burning. Episode 7 is a clear proof of how she has evolved not only emotionally but also psychologically since that scene, as she finally realizes what Hodgins’s words to her truly meant. “Everything I’ve done so far has sparked a flame that is now burning me up!” Violet stating that shows how her character has finally started to feel culpability for things that her past self would never have.
Brief analysis of the series:
Violet Evergarden doesn’t romanticize the conceptualization of love; love requires sacrifice, loss and ache. Behind the serene scenery, the elegant dresses and the lively city, Violet’s memories remind us that in order to find beauty, pain needs to be dug through first. Despite everything, blood, war and combat still remains a major part of Violet’s synopsis. It incarnates ravagement and damage. The characters go through losses and feel agony to the core of their bodies; everything about the show is real and sensible. Violet not only grasps the true meaning behind love, but she also aids other people to connect with each other through that emotion; platonically, romantically and storgically.
