08.07
Today's ingredient is...
I’m reading a book right now called Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann, a re-imagining of the Faustian legend by making the person who sells their soul for more power a piano composer instead of a sorcerer. It goes further into the concept of sacrificing one’s essence for talent, and showing that we wish for can disrupt what we already have, like relationships with other people. The change that Mann makes by replacing Faustus’ alchemic circles with Leverkühn’s piano keys begs to the mind the parallels between music and magic. For some people, being able to play the piano is just a decent talent with nothing that stands out. Some people play instruments for fun, for money, or something between the two. But for a few, playing music is their way to connect to something they cannot grasp through other actions.
That connects to this episode through Miki Kaoru’s use of the piano. He doesn’t compose, but he’s certainly adept with the keys. Such effort contradicts his nature to other people, where he’s submissive and more focused on setting his stopwatch than any personal interaction. One quick look at him, and he seems like the opposite of Saionji from a few episodes back. But remember that he’s also part of the student council, and the members of that group are culpable for some of the mysteries going on in the show. As musical instruments can be the key to one’s desires, so can it be a person’s way to express their true self. You could interpret that as being similar to a savant. Miki shows far more potential when giving a piano or a math problem to calculate instead of a live human being, and very little can make him be just as ruthless with people as he can be with symphonies.
Except love, of course. Love is always the breaking point for some people, and the show illustrates that through an in media res opening where Miki prepares to duel against Utena for the Rose Bride. Instead of a “Who does Utena fight this time?” scenario, it’s more of a “How does Utena come to fight this person?” story. Unlike Saionji, Miki’s far from abusive and has little interest in the duel. But this episode slowly gives us his motive for fighting, out of a crush for Anthy and a longing for something that can make him whole again. Desire is what turns the meek into savages, and no desire strikes that chord more than the lust for a woman.
Further to that point, the episode examines how people can wear masks contrary to their innate personality. Miki can act reserved to others, but is meticulous in his abilities. Nanami can seem charming on the surface, but turns into a raving bitch when left to her own plans. Then, apply it to other characters like Anthy. By the patterns listed here, Anthy cannot merely be the sweet, helpless damsel that these past episodes have portrayed her as. Like Miki and Nanami, she could be wearing a fake persona hiding her true intentions. And if we hide behind instruments, then is Utena merely an instrument to Anthy?