Princess Mononoke: Human Relationship and Environmental Themes

Japanese animated film “Princess Mononoke”, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, explores themes such as Man vs Nature, self-serving interests, aggression, mistrust, and greed. Here’s a complete summary of the film.

Set in medieval Japan, “Princess Mononoke” tells the story of Ashitaka, a young prince who becomes cursed after defending his village from a rampaging boar demon corrupted by an iron ball. To lift the curse, Ashitaka sets out on a journey to find the source of the corruption, and becomes entangled in a conflict between the forest gods and the humans who seek to exploit the resources of the forest.

The central conflict in the film revolves around the struggle between the industrial Iron Town, led by Lady Eboshi, and the spirits of the forest, particularly the wolf goddess Moro and her adopted human daughter San, also known as Princess Mononoke. Iron Town is at odds with the forest spirits due to its relentless deforestation and industrial activities, which threaten the balance of nature.

The film explores themes of environmentalism, the impact of industrialization on nature, and the coexistence of humans and the environment.

Academic Questions

Essay: Arguments and Appeals in Princess Mononoke

Write a short essay analyzing arguments and appeals as they arise in the film Princess Mononoke. Analyze a position held by one of the film’s characters. The film sets up a dichotomy between Iron Town and the Forest, and each character holds a different perspective on how the land should be used, developed, preserved, and/or occupied. Your analysis of a character’s viewpoint should take the form of an interpretive argument where you articulate and defend your interpretation of this character, their motivations, and their position. Support your analysis with evidence such as precise and detailed paraphrases of the film’s action, as well as at least 3 key quotes from the film.