“The people who are capable of changing things
are the ones who can throw away everything dear to them. When forced to face down monsters,
they can leave behind even their humanity." Attack on Titan is a story of many
themes and elements, one of which, is how the series views humanity. When focusing
on the military and its soldiers in particular, becoming one, and becoming a survey corps
soldier is essentially a death wish, as its fatality rate speaks for itself. These
are positions and roles that essentially ask their members to sacrifice themselves for the
greater good, a sort of utilitarian approach, which will in turn help save mankind. And
Commander Erwin Smith himself, is often at the helm of these sacrificial decisions,
earning him the title of devil, or demon. Erwin Smith’s character in all aspects
reflects his title as commander. his strong features, his imposing frame, standing
at 6 foot two, accompanied by those piercing eyes. Even his voice in the anime, all of these radiate
power and confidence. Past his appearance though, He possesses all the qualities a leader should
have. He’s decisive, brave, and intelligent. He has an eye for talent, as he sought out the
abilities of Hange, Armin, and Levi. Erwin understands his weaknesses and has surrounded
himself with individuals who can make up for them. the commander is a solid fighter and a great
strategist. But I think Erwin’s greatest attribute is his charisma. People gravitate towards him
because he has the ability to inspire and to capture their hearts. He understands what
drives others, and appeal to their emotion. Only Erwin can lead soldiers to their deaths by
capitalizing on their fears, and their dreams. Leadership at its finest.
, As this series has proven with Zackley, and other
high-ranking officials in the military, the people who lead only care for themselves. Other than
Pyxis, Erwin seems different than the rest. He cares about the lives of his soldiers. It’s how he
became commander in the first place. Erwin Smith isn’t average, and he isn’t selfish. A selfish
man couldn’t deem himself as replaceable. A selfish man couldn’t capture the heart of a rebel
and turn him into humanity’s strongest soldier. But as the series introduces his backstory,
we see where Erwin’s true motivation is born. The commander’s father had a theory. This theory
was that the king had altered humanity’s memories when they entered the walls so that he could
control them better. Erwin’s naive self then spoke about this possibility to his classmates,
and soon after his father mysteriously died. From the moment his father imparted that knowledge
into him, and was killed because of his own curiosity, Erwin has made it his duty to seek
the truth of their world. As he says to Levi, finding the truth about this world was
important to him than humanity’s victory. Erwin specifically says that there are
times where he wanted to choose death, and give up on the world, but that dream that he
shared with his father is what kept him going. And that wording, in particular, the dream that he
shared with his father is what's important here. Family is often the driving force
of many characters in this story, and when these family members are no longer with
them, these bonds become even stronger. It was the longing for Historia’s sister, Frieda, that almost
made her eat Eren. Eren’s mother being eaten before his eyes, drove him. Connie and his mother,
and so on and so forth. Erwin is no different. If this dream is the one thing that connected
him to his father, and he was instrumental in his father’s death. It’s only human for
the commander to have this tangible dream, this reminder of what he’d done, as a result of
his guilt. So avenging his father, and redeeming himself, drove him. This was his father’s goal
and he owes it to him to see it fulfilled. But in that quest, Erwin leaves his humanity
behind, becoming a demon, for himself and for his father. As he sends countless soldiers, countless
comrades to their deaths, for his own dream. So, that internal motivation is the backing behind
every action, and gamble that Erwin takes. Saving Eren, allowing him to join the survey corps even
if he was a spy, or even if he lost control, because he might be the key to getting to
that basement. To getting to the truth. Overthrowing the monarch, sacrificing his own arm, Erwin has even put aside love, and his
own personal happiness to seek the truth, as he gave up on his future with Marie to pursue
his dream. Erwin will stop at absolutely nothing for that knowledge. So he isn’t called
the devil, or the demon for nothing. As Attack on Titan looks at humanity,
it is fixed on the idea of human nature. This story questions whether humans
are inherently selfish or not, especially when faced with death. Can a person truly sacrifice
themselves, and their interests, their dreams, for something that is greater than themselves?
As the military always says, dedicate your heart. With that, is Erwin Smith selfish? or
do his final actions make him selfless? As he gets closer to his dream,
Erwin contemplates that question. We see how he became commander, how his
dream brought him to the top of the command. Saving his allies is how he got to the
top, but it isn’t how he stayed alive. As they begin the retaking of Wall
Maria, Erwin has this inner conflict. He finally confronts this immense guilt that he
carries. What was once confidence, and unflinching dedication to himself, has become uncertainty,
and it comes when his dream isn’t a dream anymore, it’s a reality and it’s so close to him. It’s
within arms length. But still that inner turmoil festers. The commander thinks back to all
of the people he’s lead to their deaths, how many people he’s told to dedicate their lives to
humanity, and how they are all his responsibility. And that panel of Erwin standing atop all
of these bodies, alone, is so telling. It highlights the blood on his hands, the
sacrifices. Erwin isn’t heartless. He’s felt the loss of every single member. And each of
their lives are his responsibility, no one else’s. That’s the solitude. He’s not up there with Levi,
or Pyxis. Erwin alone has had to climb a ladder of corpses to achieve a dream. And in that time he’s
been lying to himself, and lying to his friends. To the people he cares about. Saying that it has
been for humanity, when it hasn’t. and even now, when it’s time to fight, time to dedicate his
heart, he still wants to lie to himself one final time. And as he tells his captain his plan,
Erwin holds on to that dream for the last time, as Levi makes the decision for him. And what
was so moving to me, was that Erwin thanks him. I saw this is as Erwin finally being
given the okay to let go of that dream. I think Erwin was finally free at that moment.
And that’s what made his speech all the more inspiring. He was leading a group of people to
their deaths, and to his own. And I think he was just as afraid as they were, which is why
he could say exactly what they needed to hear. Maybe Erwin truly wasn’t a demon, but a
commander who, just like the others risked his life for humanity. Then again, maybe he was
a demon. Whether he was or not, at this moment, it didn't matter. This was one time where he
truly believed he was fighting for humanity. It wasn't a lie anymore. He was
dedicating himself to and for it. This arc also sheds light on the
relationship between Levi and Erwin. Levi was an underground rebel, who has now become
humanity’s strongest soldier. Like Eren once thought about Levi, he doesn’t seem like the type
of person who would be obedient to his superiors. Especially, given what we know about his youth and
his personality. And Eren was right. Levi doesn’t obey his superiors, except when for one man. If
Levi always saw Erwin as someone who was selfless, someone who was dedicated to humanity, that’s
someone Levi could respect, and follow. Something that he doesn’t do easily.
Through their interactions, Levi always puts emphasis on how he trusts Erwin’s
judgement, because of the man Erwin is. We know from Levi’s actions, that he is
someone who values each and every life. Behind his cold gaze, Levi is empathetic
and compassionate. Levi has proven to be someone who does fight for humanity and has
offered up his skills for humanity’s freedom. But, in Levi’s other interactions with Erwin,
such as seeing him and that smile at the fact that the titans could have once been human,
or being told outright that the truth is more important than humanity. Levi still follows
him afterwards. Levi must know and believe that Erwin still does want to see humanity win,
for him trust him after those words were uttered. But it’s more than simple trust. It’s immeasurable
respect, belief and faith, because of the years they’ve spent together, how far they’ve come,
alive. Erwin is more than just his commander, but his true friend. A pillar of hope, and
of necessity for Levi, It was Erwin who gave him an opportunity to be more than a rebel.
Who saw him for who he was. and for Erwin Levi is someone he can trust, and who will trust
him, no matter the situation. A true, mature bond built off mutual respect and one that began with
support. I’ve stated quite a bit the fact that it takes a lot for Levi to trust, and how
much he trusts Erwin, but in that moment, Erwin took the leap of faith, this time,
putting his full trust and his torn heart into Levi’s hands. This was Erwin trusting his
friend’s judgment without a second thought, as Levi has done for him all of these years.
All this to say that, Levi choosing to make the decision for his friend, proved that he knew
the internal battle his commander was facing. Levi absolved Erwin from the guilt he would have
to carry, having to choose between his father and the dream they shared, and his memory against
humanity’s fate. With that, Levi allowed Erwin to finally be the hero he never saw himself as.
The hero he desperately needed to be. For his own peace of mind. And for his heart. That wouldn't
be the last act of good of faith out of Levi. As mentioned, attack on titan is a series
that constantly questions human nature, and with that, morality. It looks at intentions
against actions, temporary pain for the pleasure of those who will come. But it is important to
note that no individual character is motivated solely for the good of humanity. Each is motivated
by their own ideals, whether that be freedom, family, revenge, or a personal dream.
Erwin for that reason is so interesting. Is he selfish, or selfless?. good or evil? Did
Erwin truly send these soldiers to their deaths, and used them as heartless sacrifices? Was
it the guilt of actually doing that or was it the pressure of being commander, having actual
survivor's guilt that made him believe that he was a demon for humanity. Maybe these soldiers
including Erwin himself actually shared the same risk, the same possibility of death having
been in the survey corps? But again, maybe only a demon for humanity could find a way to slay the
titans.Maybe Erwin has left behind his humanity. This is a commander who is tasked with saving all
of mankind. But he also just a flawed human who wants to do right by his fallen father. Again, a
death that he caused. Erwin’s burden is so heavy. There are all of these questions
that Erwin himself doesn’t even know. And that conflict makes him so well-written.
Having these underlying motivations, selfish goals, and teetering on the line between
altruistic actions and egotistic ones is what makes him human. The commander had his own goals
but he recognized his hubris. Humans are complex. Erwin is both selfish and selfless. To
categorize him as being one or the other, would be to ignore all of the times that
he’s shown both the ability to charge towards his goals and but also ignoring
the times he’s truly cared for others. Kenny in his dying moments told Levi
that everyone is drunk off something, whether it be booze itself, power, dreams, etc.
and that’s what keeps them going. I think Erwin’s dreams were able to support the weight of his
guilt. And not only was it able to support that weight, but that it was the sole thing carrying
him forward, as he states the amount of times he wanted to give up. For the amount of deaths that
Erwin has seen, and that we’ve seen, we become a little more desensitized after each one, just like
the characters do. They don’t have time to mourn and to grieve these deaths. And this goes tenfold
for the one who is in command of all of them. Only someone who was drunk off
something could survive such a burden. And that burden became unbearable
the closer he was to the truth. The people who are capable of changing things
are the ones who can throw away everything dear to them. When forced to face down monsters,
they can leave behind even their humanity. This really illustrates perfectly
who exactly Erwin Smith was. Erwin was, relentless in the
pursuit of the truth, in his dream. As a result of his drive, and of his resolve,
Erwin was relentess in his defense for humanity. The survey corps bought into Erwin Smith, and
into humanity. Through his words and through his actions, he made them believe they were fighting
for humanity, truly. His soldiers fight, scream, and rage. That right there is why he was chosen
to become commander. That’s what makes Erwin Smith anything but average. Again, the
commander was even able to reach Levi, the rebel, who he later trusted to use the titan
serum when it was time to make that decision. I think Levi let Erwin rest for his own, selfish
desire. Levi chose to use the serum on Armin, not because it was better for humanity, but
because it sent off his dear friend in glory, and in sacrifice, freeing Erwin
from the shackles of his dream. His final act of friendship, a friendship that
began with Erwin’s outstretched arm. All of the advancements that the survey corps made, began
with Erwin Smith’s leadership. And ended with his bravery. It was time for the devil to atone for
his sacrifices. Time for Erwin Smith to rest. In death, that quote by Armin especially rings true.
Because for Erwin, if throwing away his life, and his dream is what would have brought change. He
was willing to do it. To die for it. For Humanity. This video has kindly been sponsored by Audible. In these times, I’ve found myself looking for more
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