Unraveling the Mystery: What Really Killed Chara in Undertale?

Chara, the first human to fall into the Underground in Undertale, met their end through a deliberate act of poisoning by buttercups. This seemingly simple act of consuming poisonous flowers, however, is shrouded in layers of complexity, intention, and consequences that fuel much of the game’s narrative and player interpretation. The “how” of Chara’s death is intertwined with the “why,” and understanding both is critical to grasping their role in the game’s overarching story.

The Buttercup Conspiracy: Suicide or Sacrifice?

The generally accepted story is that Chara consumed the buttercups with the intention of suicide. The reason behind this drastic action is less clear-cut and becomes a central point of debate within the Undertale fandom. What is agreed upon, through in-game dialogue and the True Lab tapes, is that Chara became seriously ill after ingesting the flowers. They then expressed a desire to see the Golden Flowers of their home village one last time.

This desire was the catalyst for a plan: Asriel, Chara’s adoptive brother, absorbed their soul after their death. This allowed Asriel to cross the barrier separating the Underground from the surface. The plan was for Asriel to carry Chara’s body to their village, collect six more human souls, and break the barrier permanently, freeing all monsters.

However, Asriel ultimately refused to kill the humans, even when they attacked him. Instead, he returned to the Underground, where he succumbed to his injuries and died, spreading his dust upon the flowers in the throne room. This paints a picture of a tragic event fueled by desperation, loss, and a misguided attempt at liberation.

Unveiling the True Lab Tapes

The tapes found in the True Lab provide crucial, though fragmented, insights into the Dreemurr family’s life before the events of Undertale. One particular tape mentions Chara’s experimentation with buttercups, documenting how they made Asgore sick. This has led to several theories:

• Intentional Experimentation: Was Chara testing the effects of the buttercups to gauge their toxicity, preparing for their own demise?

• Accidental Poisoning: Was the incident with Asgore an unfortunate accident, prompting Chara to consider a darker path?

• Manipulation: Some argue that Chara was actively trying to poison Asgore, highlighting a more malicious side to their character.

These contrasting interpretations depend heavily on the player’s understanding of Chara’s motivations.

Chara’s Legacy: Hero or Villain?

The question of whether Chara is inherently good or evil remains a central point of debate. Different playthroughs and character interactions shed light on various facets of their personality. In a Genocide run, Chara appears to be a malevolent force, taking control and eradicating the Underground. However, in a Pacifist run, their influence is much more subtle, leaving room for interpretation.

Chara’s actions, particularly their suicide, are often seen as an attempt to manipulate Asriel. Their plan required Asriel to kill humans, something he was ultimately unable to do. This failure resulted in both their deaths and the continued imprisonment of the monsters. Some view Chara as a misguided idealist, while others see them as a cold and calculating manipulator.

The Power of Determination and the Player’s Role

The player’s actions significantly influence Chara’s behavior in Undertale. The game’s narrative suggests that Chara is awakened by the player’s determination, especially during the Genocide run. This raises questions about the player’s own culpability:

• Are the player’s actions simply triggering a latent evil within Chara?

• Or is the player actively shaping Chara’s personality through their choices?

This ambiguity forces players to confront the consequences of their decisions and grapple with the complexities of morality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Chara’s Demise

1. Did Chara plan their own death?

Yes, the prevailing theory is that Chara intentionally consumed buttercups, knowing their toxic effects. This was part of a plan to allow Asriel to absorb their soul and cross the barrier.

2. Why did Chara want to die?

The reasons behind Chara’s desire for death are multifaceted. It’s possible that Chara wanted to free the monsters and perhaps held a certain animosity towards humanity as implied by Asriel’s dialogue regarding Chara not being the greatest person.

3. How did Asriel absorb Chara’s soul?

After Chara died from the buttercup poisoning, their SOUL lingered. Asriel, deeply saddened by Chara’s death, absorbed their soul, granting him immense power.

4. Why didn’t Asriel kill the humans?

Asriel, despite absorbing Chara’s soul, was fundamentally a pacifist. He couldn’t bring himself to harm the humans, even when they attacked him.

5. What are the True Lab tapes?

The True Lab tapes are recordings found in Alphys’s secret laboratory. They provide insights into the experiments conducted on monsters, including the attempts to create a SOUL and the events leading up to Chara and Asriel’s deaths.

6. What role do buttercups play in Undertale’s story?

Buttercups are a symbol of both beauty and death in Undertale. They are the cause of Chara’s death and a reminder of the tragic events that befell the Dreemurr family.

7. Is Chara evil in Undertale?

Whether Chara is inherently evil is a complex question with no definitive answer. Their actions and motivations are open to interpretation, and the player’s choices significantly influence their behavior.

8. What is Chara’s relationship with Frisk?

Chara and Frisk are two separate individuals, but they are connected through the player’s actions and determination. In a Genocide run, Chara appears to take control, influenced by the player’s violent choices.

9. How does the Genocide run affect Chara?

In the Genocide run, the player’s relentless pursuit of violence awakens Chara. They become a malevolent force, erasing the world at the end of the run.

10. What is the significance of the Golden Flowers?

The Golden Flowers are a symbol of hope and remembrance in Undertale. Chara wished to see them before their death, and Asriel’s dust spread upon them, linking them to both their memories.

11. Does Chara have a soul?

After death, Chara’s soul merges with Asriel’s. After Asriel’s death it is implied that their soul disappears, and that Chara is revived by the player’s own determination.

12. What is the purpose of Chara’s narration in the Genocide run?

Chara’s narration in the Genocide run provides insights into their perspective and motivations. It suggests that they are being influenced by the player’s actions and are taking control as the player’s LV increases.

13. How does Flowey relate to Chara?

Flowey is the soulless form of Asriel, created after Alphys injected determination into a Golden Flower that had Asriel’s dust on it. Flowey lacks empathy and a moral compass, and his actions reflect a twisted version of Chara’s potential influence.

14. Why is Flowey scared of Chara?

Flowey, having once been Asriel, knew Chara and what they were capable of. During the Genocide Run Flowey is scared because he realizes that he too is not safe from Chara’s destruction.

15. What happens to Chara after the Genocide run?

After the Genocide run, Chara offers the player a choice: erase the world or not. Erasing the world leads to a permanent change in the game, and Chara’s presence becomes an inescapable part of subsequent playthroughs.

Conclusion: The Unsettling Truth

Chara’s death by buttercup poisoning is more than a mere plot point in Undertale; it’s a catalyst that sets the stage for the game’s core themes of choice, consequence, and the complexities of morality. Their story invites players to question their own actions and confront the unsettling truth that even in a world of monsters, the greatest darkness can come from within. Further exploring the nuances of game narratives and player impact can be achieved through resources available at the Games Learning Society, where the intersection of education and gaming is actively studied and promoted. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games influence learning and behavior.