Unraveling the Enigma: How Did Chara Dreemurr Become “Evil”?
The question of Chara’s inherent nature – whether born evil, made evil, or misunderstood – is one of the most fiercely debated topics within the Undertale fandom. A straightforward answer, considering the evidence presented in the game and associated materials, suggests that Chara’s descent into what we perceive as “evil” is a complex process shaped by a combination of pre-existing personality traits, traumatic experiences, and the player’s actions within the Genocide Route. While the game’s canon leans towards portraying Chara as a significant antagonist, nuance is key to understanding their transformation. The Genocide Route, fueled by the player’s relentless pursuit of destruction, acts as a catalyst, amplifying dormant vengeful tendencies and ultimately leading to the entity we encounter at the end of that dark path. It’s not as simple as saying Chara is evil; instead, it’s more accurate to say they become evil under specific, player-driven circumstances.
Chara’s Backstory: Seeds of Darkness or Unfortunate Circumstances?
Before delving into the player’s influence, it’s crucial to examine Chara’s life before falling into the Underground. The game offers glimpses of their past, hinting at unhappy experiences with humanity. While the exact nature of these experiences is intentionally vague, the dialogue and narration suggest feelings of neglect, abuse, or profound social isolation. This pre-existing resentment towards humanity forms a fertile ground for darker impulses to take root.
Furthermore, it’s important to acknowledge that Chara was not a blank slate upon arrival in the Underground. Their personality, even before the trauma of death and resurrection, wasn’t inherently angelic. Asriel’s own words point to a flawed character. While he loved Chara deeply, he also implied they were prone to wrath and furiousness. This suggests a pre-disposition to negative emotions that, when combined with their past trauma and the corrupting influence of the Genocide Route, ultimately culminates in their “evil” manifestation.
The Genocide Route: A Crucible of Corruption
The turning point in Chara’s story is undoubtedly the Genocide Route. During this playthrough, the player’s relentless pursuit of EXP (Execution Points) and LOVE (Level of Violence) awakens Chara from their dormant state. Importantly, the game explicitly states that Chara is not the one controlling Frisk or forcing the player’s hand. Instead, the player’s actions – the systematic slaughter of innocent monsters – provide the fuel that reignites Chara’s consciousness and amplifies their negative emotions.
As the player continues down the path of destruction, Chara’s influence grows. They become a narrator of sorts, providing commentary on the player’s actions and expressing a growing sense of satisfaction. This satisfaction stems from the realization that the player’s actions align with Chara’s pre-existing resentment towards humanity and their desire for retribution.
The accumulation of LOVE and EXP fundamentally changes Chara. The constant exposure to violence desensitizes them and reinforces their belief that “power is everything”. By the end of the Genocide Route, Chara has become the embodiment of the player’s actions, a twisted reflection of the player’s desire for destruction.
The Role of Determination and the Absence of a Soul
The game also suggests that the concept of Determination and the loss of Chara’s soul play a crucial role in their transformation. The Genocide Route relies on the player’s immense Determination to manipulate the timeline and systematically eliminate all life in the Underground. This Determination, however, also awakens Chara’s latent potential and allows them to exert more influence over Frisk.
Moreover, the theory that Chara lacks a soul after death, similar to Flowey, could explain their inability to feel compassion or empathy. This absence of a moral compass, combined with the corrupting influence of the Genocide Route, creates a perfect storm that ultimately leads to their “evil” manifestation. The lack of a soul would also explain why Asriel’s love for Chara could not save them; they had no SOUL now, so having compassion for Chara just wasn’t their thing anymore.
Is Chara Truly Evil? A Matter of Perspective
While the Genocide Route paints a bleak picture of Chara, it’s important to consider the narrative’s inherent bias. The game is told from the perspective of Frisk, the other characters, and, ultimately, the player. Chara’s motivations and intentions are often filtered through these perspectives, making it difficult to ascertain the full truth.
Some fans argue that Chara is not inherently evil but rather a misunderstood child who was driven to drastic measures by traumatic experiences and a misguided sense of justice. They point to Chara’s initial desire to help the monsters and their willingness to sacrifice themselves to achieve that goal. Others suggest that Chara is simply a product of their environment, shaped by the violence and negativity they experienced both before and after falling into the Underground.
Ultimately, the question of Chara’s true nature is left open to interpretation. The game provides enough evidence to support both sides of the argument, allowing players to draw their own conclusions. What is undeniable, however, is that Chara’s story is a tragic one, a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of violence and the importance of compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Chara
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help clarify the intricacies surrounding Chara:
1. Who is more evil, Chara or Frisk?
It’s a complex question. Frisk is a vessel controlled by the player’s choices. In the Genocide Route, the player’s actions are the catalyst for Chara’s awakening and influence. Therefore, the “evil” often stems from the player, with Chara acting as an amplifier and executor of those dark choices.
2. Is Chara really evil in the canon of Undertale?
The game leans towards portraying Chara as an antagonist, particularly in the Genocide Route. Asriel’s comments and Chara’s actions at the route’s conclusion suggest a malevolent nature. However, interpretation varies. The developers leave room for debate about Chara’s inherent morality.
3. Is Chara the true villain of Undertale?
Not definitively. The Genocide Route hinges on the player’s choices. Chara’s influence becomes prominent because of the player’s relentless violence. Many argue that the player’s choices make them the true villain of Undertale.
4. Are Chara and Frisk siblings?
No, there is no canonical evidence to support the theory that Chara and Frisk are siblings. This idea originates in fan theories.
5. Why does Chara only appear in the Genocide Route?
Chara’s consciousness re-emerges due to the player’s high level of Determination and LOVE (Level of Violence). The systematic killing of monsters generates enough “power” to awaken and solidify Chara’s presence.
6. Why is Chara evil at the end of the Genocide Route?
The prevailing theory is that the constant exposure to violence and the player’s choices corrupt Chara. The accumulation of LOVE and the absence of a soul exacerbate their pre-existing resentment.
7. What happens if you name yourself “Chara” in Undertale?
Naming yourself “Chara” has no significant impact on gameplay. It simply allows the game to refer to your character as Chara, acknowledging that name.
8. Did Asgore poison Chara?
The events leading up to Chara’s death are vague. The text indicates Chara became ill, and there’s no explicit mention of Asgore poisoning them.
9. Why does Chara have red eyes or black goo eyes?
Chara has chocolatey brown eyes before the determination gave them the red eyes going across all timelines and times in history after the genocide run. The black goopy liquid eyes are from the excess love and can activate on their command but only in where ever you are with them.
10. Is Killer Sans controlled by Chara?
This is a fan-made concept from various Undertale alternate universes (AUs). It’s not canon in the original game.
11. Why is Flowey scared of Chara in the Genocide Route?
Flowey is terrified of Chara because he recognizes the sheer, unbridled power of Chara’s desire for destruction. He understands he’s not exempt from their wrath.
12. Who betrayed Chara?
Some interpret Asriel’s decision to refuse fighting back against the humans after Chara’s death as a betrayal of Chara’s plans. They wanted to use the human souls to break the barrier.
13. Where is Chara buried?
Chara’s body was buried under the golden flowers in the Underground, near where Frisk eventually falls.
14. Is Gaster a good guy?
The character of Gaster is shrouded in mystery. Gaster’s morality remains ambiguous, and fan interpretations vary widely.
15. What happens when Chara kills you?
At the end of the Genocide Route, Chara completely destroys the world and waits for us within an empty void. If you agree, Chara will then offer us the world’s recreation in exchange for our/Frisk’s soul.
Understanding Chara requires acknowledging the multifaceted nature of their character. They are not simply a one-dimensional villain. Their story highlights the powerful effects of trauma, the corrupting influence of violence, and the responsibility of player agency in shaping a character’s destiny. Learning more about the complexities of video games, and the effects they have on the players can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society are experts in the field.
This exploration reveals that the answer to “How did Chara become evil?” is not simple, but rather a nuanced examination of their past, the player’s actions, and the mechanics of the Undertale universe.