AOT Ch. 139 parallells and references
The Rumbling is a reference to Ragnarök from Norse mythology.Â
Loki betrays the gods and sides with the giants to cause Ragnarök which destroys everything in the nine realms. In the aftermath the world will resurface so a better, less sinful world can start anew where the survivors join together and repopulate.
Eren reflects Loki in many ways. They look like each other, their race are giants, they can be viewed as either gods or devils, they betray everyone (including themselves), they are infamous for lying which brings chaos and destruction, etc.
Loki and Eren are not essentially good or bad, they are however very complex characters.
Selfish love v. Selfless love
Eren was ready to abandon all his goals for his selfish desire to be with Mikasa, but that wouldnât fix anything. He would be dead in a few years and after his death, his friends would have to continue their burden with the worldâs struggle against Eldians.
Eren selfless desire were his friends. They meant EVERYTHING to him, much more than the world ever did. He did not want them to shorten their life spans and he did not want them to go to war with the world. Instead he had to destroy the world as the devil that everyone feared. Knowing that his friends would turn against him would set them free because he had another goal in mind.
Erenâs real goal was to free the subjects of Ymir from the Power of the Titans. Ymir followed Karl Fritz orders for 2000 years because she experienced Stockholm syndrome and fell in love with Fritz.Â
The only one able to convince Ymir to stop following Fritz orders was Mikasa since both suffered from the agony of love:
The Power of the Titans continued because Ymir struggled with her agony of love for Karl Fritz.Â
The Rumbling continued because Mikasa struggled with her agony of love for Eren.Â
The main difference between Mikasaâs love for Eren compared to Ymirâs love for Fritz is that Ymir obeyed every slave order made by Fritz.Â
Mikasa however thinks for herself and denies many of Erenâs requests. This proves to be important as it shows Mikasa is not a slave nor is she a loyal follower and is capable of opposing Erenâs motives.
Mikasa loves Eren and just like Ymir loved Fritz, they both have difficulty to let go of their loved ones. So how did Mikasa do it?Â
First, Mikasa had to accept the fact that Eren needed to be killed.Â
Secondly, she had to accept the fact that Eren would only allow her to kill him.Â
However, Mikasa denies Erenâs request to forget about him. After learning Eren had mutual feelings for Mikasa, she was able to kill him and she continues to love him even after everything he has done.Â
After Ymir had seen a true act of love, she was willing to let go of the 2000 year old titan curse.
Eren was surprised that Ymir loved Fritz.
He knew Mikasa had to let go of him and he thought hate would motivate her, but he was wrong. As a matter of fact, it gave the opposite effect.Â
So how does Eren feel about Mikasa?
No surprise. He loves her and just like Mikasa, he also does not want to let go.
As much as Eren wants to tell Mikasa his true feelings he refuses since a genocidal villain does not deserve love or happiness. That is the ultimate price for power, it abandons all chances for a normal life.
Erenâs biggest despair:Â He and Mikasa are not meant to be together.
But why? They love each other, isnât that enough?
It may sound harsh, but the reality is that if you truly love someone, you must also be able to let them go.
Eren and Mikasa learned this the hard way:Â
Eren is the Founding titan.
Ackermanâs are fated to oppose and kill the Founding titan.
Only an act of true love can to stop the cycle of war and the Power of the Titans.Â
These requirements are flat-out insane to fulfill. As a matter of fact, it seems impossible. But after 2000 years it happened.
It is beyond unfair that burden had to be put on Eren and Mikasaâs shoulders. But what can they do about it?Â
The same as when people decide to rewatch/reread this series: Nothing. Because their fate is already decided.
Erenâs sacrifice. Was it worth it?Â
Rest peacefully here forever.
Eren was able to achieve his goals. He believed Armin and Historia could unite the new world with Paradise. It also served an important lesson on how monsters are born out of hate.
Tragically, Eren could never be with Mikasa. He was willing to destroy the world and abandon everything just to be with her. Nevertheless, before Eren died his last sight was Mikasa showing him an act of true love.Â
It was this hidden memory that motivated Eren to continue moving forward through hell. One can only imagine that Eren was happy to experience it with the woman he loved before resting in peace.
Take-home message:
âThe world is cruel⊠But also very beautiful.â
- Mikasa Ackerman
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