Just a cog in the wheel in Spirited Away
There are several important items to reflect on in the Spirited Away and A Place Further Than the Universe animations. While watching Spirited Away, it kind of reminded me of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. I felt like there were many parallels between their fantastical adventure and coming of age challenges. A rather direct commonality is that of Alice falling through the rabbit hole and Chihiro passing through the tunnel.
Both of these have focuses on capitalism, consumerism and coming of age themes. One thing that is touched on in the lecture regarding capitalism, but is not the primary focus, is employment. The lecture mentions that for girls in A Place Further Than the Universe it is unusual for high school students to have jobs in Japan. That is a very interesting dichotomy between Japan and the US as it is very common for high school students to have jobs here. I feel like that also shows the difference of value placed on education in both countries. In the US having employment experience is also considered a way to develop a sense responsibility and independence. In Spirited Away a job is the only thing that keeps Chihiro safe in the spirit world. In addition, Chihiro is portrayed as just another cog in the machine as her employment contract strips her of her name and identity, trapping her by trying to make her forget her true name. She is shown to bring value to the bathhouse when she helps the River Spirit, and the bathhouse is rewarded with gold. Just as quickly, she is later deemed a liability as she allowed No-Face to enter the bathhouse and is blamed for his destruction.
I feel like many people may be able to relate to feeling like just another part of the machine and not an individual when it comes to their job places. As well as the fact that your achievements are often forgotten in the face of your failings.
