Aeon Flux: Chronophasia

"The waking comes soon, like a storm."

Aeon and Trevor search for a virus that creates human happiness in a Breen jungle-facility. Trevor discusses the origins of the virus and claims that it is an attempt to regain a past human attribute. This trait gave us a universal connection to every other member of society but was apparently lost through evolution. But we never actually lost this connection, we have just forgotten its origins.

The efforts of the Breen scientists in recreating this attribute imitates real social creations. Religion is one such example. Religion hinges on our inherent need to connect to other people and elements of existence. Other examples of these patterns include the connections fostered by science, law and education. Clearly we are attempting to represent our universal inclinations in social structures.

But should we build towards this universality or move back to our natural state? Neither option is feasible. To try to recreate a natural tendency through unnatural means is folly. We also must face the reality that we have become inherently social creature and cannot retreat from that. Instead, we should recognise that this universal connection has never left us. Science, law and all other human endeavours are attempts to foster this connection.

So long as we connect with one, we connect with all.

-The English Student

Aeon Flux: The Purge

The adult and child worlds are constantly opposed in Bregna.

At many times, children are afterthoughts for the main provocateurs in Bregna. The child trapeze artist is literally left hanging and any apparent connection between Trevor and his children or Bambara and his young partner are all undermined by mental manipulation and a lack of free will.

There are, however, some attempts to bridge this gap. Most notably, the use of nursery rhymes by both adults and children is evident throughout. Many toys are also used as important tools and at important junctures by these adults. But these examples leave us feeling uneasy. These nursery rhymes and toys are often allied with violence and sexuality and this association with children is initially disturbing. It seems that such issues have no place in our common view of children as more innocent and naive than adults.

The close of this story offers a final word on these apparently troubling instances of child sexuality and brutality. In the end, Trevor himself is only a toy and as such is neither an adult or a child. There no longer exists a separate world of children and adults in Bregna. Instead, these issues are highlighted as universal for all people. We may not find the idea of children as being affected by violent or sexual forces, but they are just as vulnerable to these tropes as adults.

There are plenty of things that divide humanity, but age should only be viewed as a continuum.

-The English Student

Aeon Flux: Utopia or Deuteranopia?

As Aeon Flux charges through the supposedly open society of Bregna, we must wonder about the subjugated citizens of the nation.

Trevor assures the people of his honest intentions and heralds a new, apparently free regime of trust and integrity. But it becomes blatantly clear that his new era does not extend to the dictator himself.

On the face of things, this seems like a wise move by Trevor. After all, do we really want complete knowledge of all political dealings? As leaders of nations and a wide range of people, politicians face the impossible task of pleasing everyone. Tough decisions are made on a daily basis, causing pain to some and joy for others.

However, why do politicians believe that we do not understand the complicated nature of their profession? On a subjective scale, we all face similar decisions and just as often resort to dishonest tactics to resolve them. By not allowing complete accountability, our leaders treat us like children who are unable to accept the humanity of public figureheads.

"Clean gloves hide dirty hands" and removal of the gloves will simply show how equally filthy we all are.

-The English Student

Aeon Flux: Thanatophobia

From the masters of pets, to the masters of countries, we all engage in projection. Aeon and Trevor are no exception.

Manipulation comes natural for Trevor who instinctively uses Sible and Onan as external representations of his conflict with Aeon. She too engages in this practice and believes the pain inflicted on either of the Bregnan dissenters to be a blow against herself.

While not to the same degree, puppeteers do engage in this method of projection. The technique of externalising personal issues has even been used by psychologists and councillors, especially in cases regarding children.

While this puppetry as a profession is mostly harmless, problems can occur from an over indulgence of this practice. Externalising emotions may make them easier to understand, but an outside force is harder to deal with and resolve than an internal one. There is a danger in placing traits on a puppet, as it allows us to avoid delving into the origins of these issues.

Sible remarks that Aeon and Trevor are "toying with our lives" and the control they exert creates puppets of these lovers. But, as with all puppetry, in the end it becomes clear who is toying with who.

-The English Student

Aeon Flux: Isthmus Crypticus

Trevor blinds and clips the wings of two fantastic creatures and in doing so, highlights the barbarity of animal imprisonment.

Goodchild has captured a pair of wondrous creatures known as the Seraph Trevs. He is not the only one who takes part in this practice of entrapment. Aeon, Ilbrin and Una are all complicit to this slavery, and so is modern society.

Many intellects have championed the cause of zoological gardens. Yann Martel gives us a very reasonable viewpoint of the use of zoos as a protection for animals who would otherwise struggle in the wild. But the breach of the Ishtmus Crypticus chamber teaches us differently.

By ensnaring these animals, we deprive them of their right to live, love and even die. It is nothing but human arrogance to assert that our artificial circumstances are more beneficial than natural ones. They may have a higher chance of survival, but life without freedom is merely existence, regardless of species.

"This creature is in agony" and while the physical body may be cared for, the shackles of animal imprisonment cause more damage than nature ever could.

-The English Student

Aeon Flux: A Last Time for Everything

The scientific investigations of Trevor Goodchild provoke strong reaction from Aeon. This persecution of researchers is nothing new.

Trevor's regime holds scientific advancement to be of the utmost importance. His cloning program is relentless and this development has resulted in a greater understanding of identity and the role of personality in human endeavours.

Our own centres of research are more subjugated by comparison. Scientists have always been oppressed for their ability to discover truths that we may not like, or disprove beliefs that we hold dear. From Galileo to Ernest Armstrong McCulloch, the worth of scientists has been under valued.

Researchers and scientists should use all resources that are possibly available to them in order to improve the quality of our physical and spiritual lives. To deprive them of these means is to halt our quest for truth.

"The issue isn't excess, its access" and with free reign to investigate mankind we may access the very secrets of our existence.

-The English Student