The Boy in the Iceberg 1:22

Sacred Reading of Every Episode - Scene by Scene

Katara: Aang?

Aang: Hey, come on little guy. Wanna go sledding? …Heh heh. I have a way with animals.

Katara: Hehehe, Aang, I'll help you catch a penguin if you teach me waterbending.

Aang: You got a deal! Just one little problem...I'm an airbender, not a waterbender. Isn't there someone in your tribe who can teach you?

Katara: No. You're looking at the only waterbender in the whole South Pole.

Aang: This isn't right. A waterbender needs to master water. What about the North Pole? There's another Water Tribe up there, right? Maybe they have waterbenders who could teach you.

Katara: Maybe, but we haven't had contact with our sister tribe in a long time. It's not exactly "turn right at the second glacier.” It's on the other side of the world.

Aang: But you forget, I have a flying bison. Appa and I can personally fly you to the North Pole. Katara, we're going to find you a master!

Katara: That's...I mean, I don't know. I've never left home before.

I have been reading up on the lore contained within the new Avatar Legends Table Top Role Playing Game and it has been fascinating to learn a little bit about the history in the gaps of the Avatarverse. Specifically in regards to this scene, the history of the tension between the Northern and Southern Water Tribes. Throughout the history of the known world - the North and South have grappled with different philosophies, values, and differences in their access to resources. During the 100 years war, the Fire Nation’s aggression further exacerbated the distance (literally and metaphorically) between the North and the South.

The Southern Water Tribe, since the Kyoshi era, has been systematically reduced to be less than their Northern counterparts - which leads eventually to the Nothern attempt to control the South in the Legend of Korra. The Southern Water Tribe’s attempts to thrive have been thwarted in the past. During Kyoshi’s era there was a massive thread of the South that turned to piracy for survival, this resulted in rhetoric later on from the Fire Nation that led to the systemic removal of all water benders from the South during the 100 Years War. This isn’t in the distant past either, it’s within Katara’s memory. Katara’s mother sacrificed herself for Katara’s sake during Fire Nation raids in the south.

In a way, I am particularly impressed with Katara’s resilience in asking to learn waterbending at all. I am surprised she doesn’t act more like Haru, who we meet in Book 1, Chapter 6: Imprisoned. Haru attempts to hide his bending from strangers -even from family - because of the removal of earthbenders from his village. With this in mind, I wonder - what is it about Katara’s experience that allows her to feel able to ask Aang about being her teacher? Part of me think this has to do with how Aang presents himself - he comes across as unthreatening, kind, light-hearted to me. I wonder if having spent some time with Aang creates a space in which she feels able to ask. Then again, part of me feels like she is more open about her bending than someone else with her past would be. In other words, it doesn’t seem like Aang is the only factor - it seems like this comes from within Katara.

It is possible that her hesitance to leave her village could be rooted in worry regarding the Fire Nation and being found out - but, it could also be a result of never having traveled. I wonder how the war is talked about with Katara versus how it is discussed with Sokka - do you think there is a difference in how it might be taught to them based on gender?

Aang seems to represent possibility in so many ways. He is the first airbender seen in 100 years, he is likely one of the only benders Katara has met due to the Fire Nation raids, he can travel, he laughs and plays - he has brought a monumental shift in what is possible. To me - it seems that he the spark of hope for Katara that catches fire. Her bending and that aspect of her identity is one of the main distinctions for me when considering their reactions to Aang showing up in the first place.

On another note, I want to address Katara’s language regarding the North. She calls the North their “Sister Tribe.” It reminds me of how we talk about family. Family can bring us much joy when there is connection, belonging, care, etc. Family can also create civil war. Family does not necessarily make a claim as to the intimacy and closeness in relationship - rather, it notes relationship exists in some way. Perhaps it doesn’t do well for us to assume a certain level of intimacy or fondness when people refer to family.

I guess, upon reflection, that I want to walk away from these observations wondering more about how I can show up like Aang. How can I represent possibility through kindness? On the other hand, how can I be more like Katara and see the hope of the world despite my past experiences?

Regardless - I am immensely grateful for Katara and Aang.

Have a lovely day!

Until Next Time,

Be Well and Do Good