The Last Airbender Series: The Storm and the Societal Definition of Duty

The episode "The Storm" provides very important backstory to two of the most intriguing characters in the film. First is Aang, who, due to the impending attack from the Fire Nation, is told that he is the Avatar well before he turns 16. While he is accepted as a stellar Airbender before this announcement, afterwards he finds himself alienated from his peers, forced into a much too rigid training regiment for a 12 year old, and torn apart from his mentor and friend Monk Gyatso. These changes pile up, and the young Aang realizes that is unready to take his place as Avatar and flees from the air temple. The other story is Zuko's, haunted by his physical and mental scars. His father invites him to a war meeting, where he is expected to listen and observe the Fire Nation's military leaders discuss strategy. But when a general proposes to use recruits as bait for more experienced soldiers, Zuko intercedes, saying that it is dishonorable to allow Fire Nation soldiers to die so unceremoniously. By doing so, Zuko angers his father, who challenges him to an Agni Kai (Firebending battle). Though he asks for mercy and had no intent of speaking against his father, his father teaches him a permanent lesson, by scarring his son's face and banishing him from the Fire Nation for his cowardice. This episode brilliantly portrays Aang and Zuko as outcasts, showing that the primary evil in the first season is no more different than primary good. But they are treated as outcasts for different reasons, and it revolves around their definition of duty. Aang shirks his responsibility as Avatar, thus not performing his duty. But by actively standing up for seeming injustice in the war room, Zuko oversteps his bounds of authority, despite being crown prince. Aang's story shows the typical notion of societal duty, stepping up and taking responsibility when necessary. But Zuko's story shows the twisted form of duty in the Fire Nation, which promotes subservience rather than standing up for what one believes to be right.