Why is Chara Evil in Undertale? Unraveling the Narrative’s Complexity
Chara’s perceived “evil” in Undertale is a multifaceted issue deeply rooted in player interpretation and narrative ambiguity. The simple answer is this: Chara is not inherently evil. Instead, their actions and morality are heavily influenced by the player’s choices throughout the game, particularly during the Genocide Route. The context of their death, their lack of a soul following death, and their eventual resurrection fueled by the player’s “determination” and bloodlust all contribute to the perception of them as an antagonist. This is further exacerbated by the game’s narrative structure, which blurs the lines between player agency, Frisk’s actions, and Chara’s influence, leaving the player to grapple with the responsibility for the destructive path they’ve chosen.
Deconstructing Chara: More Than Just a Villain
To understand why Chara is often labeled as evil, it’s essential to delve into their backstory and the events leading up to and following their death.
The Fallen Child and Asriel’s Best Friend
Chara, the first human to fall into the Underground, was taken in by Toriel and Asgore, the royal family of monsters, and became a sibling to Asriel. The narrative depicts a deep bond between Chara and Asriel, painting a picture of a loving, albeit sometimes mischievous, relationship. However, this idyllic image is complicated by hints of a darker side within Chara, suggested by their plan to free the monsters by consuming buttercups and using Asriel to absorb their soul and cross the barrier.
The Failed Plan and Tragic Death
Chara’s plan ultimately resulted in their death and Asriel’s subsequent demise, even though Asriel resisted Chara’s desire to harm humans in the above world. After their death, Asriel brought Chara’s body back to their village, where they were attacked by the humans. Despite having the power to retaliate, Asriel refused and returned to the Underground mortally wounded, dying shortly after. This event highlights a key distinction: Chara actively sought to harm humanity, while Asriel chose compassion.
The Soul Conundrum and Absence of Empathy
The articles presented, and theories within the Undertale community, suggest that when Chara died, Asriel absorbed their soul. Following Asriel’s death, Chara was left without a soul, which is frequently linked to a lack of empathy in the game’s lore. Flowey, a character who embodies this soulless state, exhibits cruelty and a lack of compassion. This connection between soullessness and negative behavior is critical to understanding Chara’s later actions. However, the circumstances of Chara’s soul are ambiguous, and some players have debated whether Chara ever had a soul to begin with.
The Genocide Route: A Catalyst for Perceived Evil
The perception of Chara as evil is primarily fueled by the Genocide Route, where the player systematically eliminates all monsters in each area. This route acts as a catalyst, awakening Chara’s dormant presence.
The Player’s Responsibility
Crucially, it’s the player’s choices that trigger the Genocide Route. The game is very clear that Frisk (the player character) is not acting autonomously, but rather under the player’s control. Every kill, every act of violence, is a direct consequence of the player’s decision. Chara, in this context, acts as a narrator and commentator, becoming increasingly assertive as the player’s LOVE (Level Of ViolencE) increases.
Chara’s Manifestation and Control
As the player progresses through the Genocide Route, Chara’s influence grows. At the end of the route, Chara fully manifests, obliterating the world. This act is often interpreted as evidence of their inherent evil, but it’s important to consider the context. Chara states that the player’s “determination” and pursuit of power brought them back to life. They essentially mirror and amplify the player’s actions, becoming a consequence of their choices. In the game’s conclusion, Chara claims to have been called to existence by the player’s determination and claims to have found power through the experience.
The Offer and the Aftermath
After destroying the world, Chara offers to recreate it in exchange for Frisk’s soul. Accepting this offer leads to a twisted version of the Pacifist Route, where Chara’s influence taints the happy ending, leading to a chilling post-credits scene implying the eventual destruction of the restored world. This further solidifies the perception of Chara as a malevolent force.
The Ambiguity of Chara’s Nature
Ultimately, Chara’s true nature remains ambiguous. While their actions in the Genocide Route are undoubtedly destructive, their motivations are complex and open to interpretation. Some argue that Chara is simply a reflection of the player’s choices, a vessel for the player’s dark desires. Others believe that Chara possesses a pre-existing inclination towards violence, fueled by their past trauma and experiences with humanity.
Victim or Villain?
Were they the victim of their own circumstances, or the architect of their own demise? This question is left unanswered, forcing players to confront their own values and moral compass as they navigate the complexities of Undertale’s narrative.
A Warning About Choice and Consequences
Regardless of Chara’s inherent nature, their presence serves as a powerful warning about the consequences of our choices. Undertale is a game about choice, and the Genocide Route is a stark reminder that every action has a reaction, and that even seemingly insignificant decisions can have devastating consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Chara inherently evil?
No, Chara is not inherently evil. Their actions are largely determined by the player’s choices, particularly in the Genocide Route. They act as a mirror, reflecting the player’s actions and amplifying their consequences.
2. Who is more evil, Chara or Frisk?
Frisk, controlled by the player, is the one committing the acts of violence in the Genocide Route. Chara acts as a commentator and narrator, but the initial choice to kill is the player’s. It’s the player’s actions via Frisk that awaken Chara.
3. Why does Chara only appear in the Genocide Route?
Chara’s presence is awakened by the player’s “determination” and LOVE (Level Of ViolencE) gained from systematically murdering all monsters in the Underground. The violence fuels their resurrection.
4. Does Chara possess Frisk?
The narrative suggests that Chara’s “essence” merges with Frisk when Frisk falls into the Underground. However, Chara does not fully control Frisk until the Genocide Route, and even then, it’s the player’s choices that dictate the overall direction.
5. Is Flowey evil because he lacks a soul?
Flowey’s soullessness contributes to his inability to feel positive emotions and his resulting cruelty. This parallels some interpretations of Chara’s actions.
6. Why is Flowey scared of Chara?
Flowey fears Chara because he realizes that Chara’s genocidal tendencies apply to everyone, including him. He witnesses the terrifying reality of Chara’s desire for destruction.
7. Is Killer Sans controlled by Chara?
This concept comes from fan-made content and AUs (Alternate Universes) of Undertale. In these scenarios, Chara may exert influence or control over Sans, particularly when he is in a weakened state, forcing him into a murderous rampage. This is not canon to the original game.
8. Did Asgore poison Chara?
The article mentions Asgore poisoning Chara, but this is not accurate to the canon of Undertale. Chara’s death was due to illness after consuming buttercups, as part of their plan to help Asriel free the monsters from the underground.
9. Why is Asriel portrayed as evil in some contexts?
Asriel, in his form as Flowey, lacks a soul and, consequently, empathy. This lack of empathy leads to his cruel and manipulative behavior.
10. What is the saddest ending in Undertale?
Subjectively, many players consider the Genocide Route to be the saddest, due to the destruction and loss of innocence it entails.
11. What happens when Chara kills you?
When Chara is a world-ending monster, Chara destroys the world. This leaves the player with one option: to give Chara their soul in exchange for the world.
12. Does killing Flowey ruin a Pacifist Run?
No, killing Flowey at the end of a True Pacifist Run does not prevent you from achieving that ending.
13. Does Frisk ever open their eyes?
Yes, there are instances in the game where Frisk’s eyes are shown to be open, revealing normal, brown eyes. Their typical squint is likely due to myopia.
14. Is Underswap Frisk evil?
Underswap Frisk’s morality, like the original Frisk, depends entirely on the player’s choices. A Genocide Route will result in Underswap Frisk becoming a villain.
15. Who actually kills Frisk in fan-made stories?
Some fan-made content depicts Asgore killing Frisk with the help of Flowey to break the barrier with the human souls. This is not canon to the original game.
Understanding Chara’s character requires a nuanced approach, acknowledging the player’s role in shaping their actions and recognizing the inherent ambiguity in their motivations. Whether Chara is viewed as a victim, a villain, or simply a reflection of the player, their presence in Undertale serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of our choices and the complexities of morality.
For more insights into the intersection of gaming and education, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society: GamesLearningSociety.org.