A couple questions on Mononoke Hime

[Jeikobu]

I just saw Mononoke Hime and I liked it, but I have a couple questions.

First off, how exactly did San come to be with the wolves? We know she is raised by them, but how does it all come in to place? Was she found orphaned and then raised? Or is this really unknown?

Secondly and more importantly, what exactly is Ashitaka implying when he says that the Deer God "is life"? This line bothered me, so I want to know exactly what to make of it.

Arigatou

[Mangafanatic]

I just saw Mononoke Hime and I liked it, but I have a couple questions.

First off, how exactly did San come to be with the wolves? We know she is raised by them, but how does it all come in to place? Was she found orphaned and then raised? Or is this really unknown?

I watched the dubbed version (back in the dark ages before my dvd player), but if the dub was properly translated then what happened was:

1) San and her parents were walking in the woods.
2) The wolves came out to eat them.
3) San's parents threw their kid down, hoping the worlves would eat her instead of them (bad parenting example).
4) Rather than eat San, the wolves took pity on her and raised her.

Secondly and more importantly, what exactly is Ashitaka implying when he says that the Deer God "is life"? This line bothered me, so I want to know exactly what to make of it.

I think he was saying that the world was going to die if the forest god died. As you noticed after [spoiler]his head got lopped off[/spoiler], there was alot of destruction going on. It's my opinion that the forest God's death's impact on the forest is what he was refering to.

[Jeikobu]

I figured so (your answer to my second question), but what's the whole bit about him "being able to give life and take it away" and all? I just want to know it isn't putting him up to God's level and position or anything. Is it because he is kind of the head of the forest and almost part of it so his living means the forest will? I just want to fully understand this all.

[Ashley]

I think that line is referring to the cycle of nature of death and life; life leading to death, death bringing life, etc. For example, an animal dies and becomes fertilizer for the soil; a rabbit is killed to give life to the falcon, etc. It is actually not an anti-Christian thing, since by Jesus' death we are given eternal life (but we have to die to ourselves to gain it). I think they are just forgetting the true Author of Life created that cycle. The deer god represents nature and natural process.

[Mangafanatic]

I figured so (your answer to my second question), but what's the whole bit about him "being able to give life and take it away" and all? I just want to know it isn't putting him up to God's level and position or anything. Is it because he is kind of the head of the forest and almost part of it so his living means the forest will? I just want to fully understand this all.

The forest god was the life blood of the forest, or so it seems. Therefore, it would make sense that: no forest god, no forest. No forest, no happy woodland creatures. No happy woodland creatures, no meat for men folk. No plants or meat, no men. With that said, Ashitaka was correct in his general synopsis of the forest god's importance to everyone.

I don't remember the exact line you're quoting right now. Would you mind giving me the context and reminding me of exactly when it happened? I vet I could remember it then.

[Jeikobu]

Thanks, I think that makes things alot clearer. ^^
Mangafanatic, I don't remember exactly except for what I just said. I remember the line abut the Deer God "being life" at the end of the film, and earlier in the film there's the line about him giving life and taking it away. It may have been [spoiler]after he healed Ashitaka's wound, I can't remember for sure. [/spoiler]

<Admin edit> Ashley says the spoiler tags are your friend