World building and theories of Engage
Marin is known as ‘Marron’ in the Japanese version. I can understand the reason for the localisation change, ‘Marni’ is a much more recognisable name in the West, unfortunately it affects the intended meaning of her name. Marron is French for chestnut, specifically products made from chestnuts such as: crème de marrons (chestnut cream), marrons confits (candied chestnuts) and marrons glacés (glazed chestnuts). In Japan, the chestnut is associated with autumn. Around the world, chestnuts have been a staple part of people's diets from thousands of years, Due to the plentiful supply they have come to symbolise abundance and longevity. Longevity is not something Marni benefits from, she dies young at the hands of Zephia. The memory of her sacrifice to try and save Lady Veyle does have longevity, Veyle will remember her for the rest of her long existence.
In medieval Europe candied chestnuts were given as gifts by royalty. They were considered a valuable gift to receive. In the Bible, the chestnut was one of 13 foods offered to Baby Jesus, symbolises chastity (immaculate conception of Jesus), virtue and honesty. In Greek mythology children were believed to be found inside old chestnut trees. Artemis, the goddess of children, young animals, the hunt and the forest, turned herself into a chestnut tree to escape Zeus's lust, just like in Christianity, the chestnut is associated with chastity.
Marni is the romanticised image of a Victorian child of upper class status, her apple cheeks, her abundance of bow's and her corkscrew curls are designed to give her a vulnerable sweetness. John Everett Millais painted children with this kind of innocent and sweet appearance. She is dressed like a child and a porcelain doll. In the Victorian era, a ‘porcelain complexion ‘ was considered the ideal standard of beauty. Dolls would be adorned with an armada of accessories to protect them from the sun, just like what a lady would wear to keep her skin from tanning. A doll prepared children for adulthood. Marni has her bonnet, gloves and her shield.
Marni represents the fragility of a porcelain doll. Delicate porcelain dolls were given to children as a declaration of wealth. To avoid such a fragile toy was a symbol of wealth but so was the statement that the parents could afford to endlessly repair or replace the doll. Marni is the doll who can be replaced if she is damaged. She is also the plaything of Zephia and Sombron, who can manipulate her with praise to do what they want.
On her head is an elaborately decorated fanchon with frills, bows and pleats. Her dress is an armoured and fabric variant of a ruffle dress, once again decorated with feminine designs such as bows and hearts. Her leg armour and sabatons mirror the rest of her design. Pink is used as it is the colour associated with little girls.
