Friday, March 18, 2011
Godzilla the warm and cuddly
One short question: the Japanese series of Godzilla (Gojira) films (1954- ) began with the title character a mutant monster product of atomic detonations, a horrific metaphor for atomic weapons. However, over the course of the series, Godzilla become more of a positive, heroic figure. To what degree was this metamorphosis in character propaganda for the "peaceful use of atomic power" as opposed to simply creating an impetus for the continuation of the series?
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3 comments:
Apologies for my first comment being related to a non-musical post, but I do love Godzilla. So Godzilla initially changed from evil to good when Ghidorah the three-headed monster showed up. Perhaps Ghidorah's three heads represent the energy triumvirate of oil, coal, and natural gas? Perhaps Godzilla's conquest represents the victory of atomic energy over these other technologies? Or maybe it was just that kids fell in love with Godzilla and the producers wanted to turn him into a hero. Who knows?
Dary,
no apologies necessary: you get on the carousel when the white pony (or, in the case, the mutant reptile) happens to come your way. I like your Ghidorah theory; what is really needed now is a heroic beast for renewable energy.
That beast's name is Mothra. Wind power!
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