So, you know how davesprite insisted that he was an individual while clearly being very similar to dave, and hal insisted of being the same as dirk while clearly having a seperate personality? The striders both have starkly different yet almost identical problems with themselves. Dave, from a young age, have been forced into unity and similarity to his brother. Forced to be identical. This caused a strong need to prove his individuality, causing his constant verbal slips. Dirk, on the other hand, was independent and individualistic to the extreme because of his utter loneliness as he grew up. He was forced to build his own self from scratch from the moment he was self aware. But he modled his every good trait after his own brother, and extremely individualistic figure who had an art style so iconic it was his alone. Dirk modled every aspect of himself after his brother, seeking familiarity. But davepeta, as much as I hate them, are only so happy because davesprite within them finally reconciled with being similar to dave. ARquius was only happy because AR finally got to truly be a distinct being. Dave refuses to show any similarity or connection to his brother once he realises how badly he was wronged. He feels as though being similar to his brother means awful things, and tries very hard to be distinct. But clearly, he was raised by this man. Love him or not, they're going to share some traits. Meanwhile, Dirk constantly compares himself and values himself by how similar he is to his brother, a person he never even met. Clearly, they can't be all that similar beyond the surface level. Dirk's trying too hard to be similar, thus suppressing any emotion he doesn't think his brother would approve of and not allowing himself being any more than a copy of his brother, which he can't be. Dave's trying too hard to be distinct and individualistic, and ends up repressing his own feelings of actual connection and even love for his brother despite his wrongdoings, as well as his need for validation by his brother, which he has, and harms himself in the process. We can even see these contrasting philosophies when they talk to eachother before the jack battle. Dirk apologises for personally causing Dave so much pain- immediately accepting that Dave's bro and him are one and the same. Meanwhile, Dave INSISTS that Dirk and bro are different and distinct, and that Dirk should not feel guilty for it in the slightest. Again, similarity vs. Individualism. Dave deals with self hatered for being too similar to his brother. Dirk deals with not being similar enough.
