Theory and Analysis:Train Motif Symbolism

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Asuka's train-track mindscape. Asuka spots Shinji and Rei at the train station. Asuka "flaunting it" in Shinji's personal hell. Shinji saying the three women in his life are being ambiguous (in terms of what, now??) Shinji in Episode 16

Notes:

T&A page about the Train Motif and just what it symbolizes, which is a personal hell and also a purgatory between worlds of reality and subconscious or dream worlds

Because the train figures so prominently in Shinji's attempts to escape from his duties piloting the EVA-01 (once in Episode 04 and then again in Episode 19 and mental escapes like his dialogues with Leliel in Episode 16 in the dusk-lit train, it is worth exploring the train as a symbol in it of itself.

According to Pamela Ball's book "10,000 Dreams Interpreted", "a train will often highlight our attitude to social behavior and relationships with other people. It will also clarify our attitude to ourselves." Even though dream interpretations can be notoriously contradictory, this particular interpretation fits within the context of Evangelion's themes of relationships between people and attitudes characters have with themselves.

Trains as a means of transportation, are a blending of public and private space. In a car, the passengers are closer together and isolating themselves from each other is almost impossible. In a train, the passengers have their own space that they then share with the other passengers but it is a forced grouping: every one who boards the train has their own destination, their own agenda. They have no reason really to talk or interact with one another. They are merely there to get somewhere else.

In this sense, the train is a representation of and an illustration of Shinji's isolation and inability to connect with others as well as his need to close himself off from the world.

This particular motif seems not just to be limited to Shinji (16, 20, 26'), but other characters (ARM in 26') and Asuka in 22', as well. Toji in ep. 19 is included as well.

Episode 4

Following the events of Episode 3 in which Shinji disobeys a direct order from Misato to retreat from Shamshel. A flashback reveals a chewing out Shinji received from Misato about his cavalier disregard for his actions charging in to defeat Shamshel at great expense of the damage it caused to EVA-01. This is meant to establish why for the bulk of the episode, Shinji, is traveling in a fog, either on the train or walking around Neo Tokyo-3 completely withdrawn from others.

Episode 16

also get into if the "2nd person" of himself Shinji sees throughout is actually Shinji or possibly an Angel and or Shogoki. various series episodes: Rei 3 asking Shinji why he does what he does and/or was it that he wants (people to praise him/not to leave him alone/to be kind to him; feels Eva is his only way of getting such praise)

Episode 19

This train motif occurs after Toji is taken from Evangelion Unit-03 and is in the hospital. This is the only time somebody has this experience outside the Eva. Unlike other experience's, Toji is not the center of the conversation but instead Rei and Shinji are. This has led to many theories to explain what Toji is actually going through.

Shinji's Conversation

One theory is Shinji, who is beside Toji in the hospital, is going through the experience while Toji is watching as a bystander. It is known from other experiences that the characters can end up on the train because of angels. Toji's Eva was also invaded by an angel, Bardiel, so he has the possibility to go through the Hell Train.

Toji's Hallucination

In the Hell Train Toji's slurred speech could be an indication that Toji was merely hallucinating.

Episode 26'

26' Train stuff: Asuka calls Shinji on what he did, says she wants to be his, Shinji wants kindness from her, weird sequence of Asuka/Rei/Misato saying they're kind to him and other stuff I don't quite get, Shinji freaks out (Instrumentality starting to get to him??) as the three women stare at him silently; cue strangle scene no.1. ALSO IN 26': During the KST "Breakup" lines Psychological sequence, we hear that Train Cross sound-effect yet again.

Also, there is also a possible connection between Asuka's "personal hell" in reality and what she went through during mindrape (e.g.: Speculation perhaps "hell" of Shinji not being hers, or the fact she's alone; which she denies, but can not truly escape) In the real world scene, Asuka sees Shinji standing and talking with Rei at a train station (she is unable to call Kaji since he's dead; looks angry/jealous, and her anger seems to focus solely on Shinji ("how dare you beat me you scum; I'm the best not you"); Rei is just more or less a girl in the background... In the mindrape scene, she is alone at a train station, sees Kaji and begs him for help, but shadows of herself stop her; following that, a montage of why Shinji, in her eyes, has not responded to or embraced her feelings. During this sequence when Asuka thinks about Shinji, we hear that Train Crossing sound-effect, often heard during Shinji's Personal Hell Introspection.

Rei's Ghostly Appearances and Quantum Mechanics since it's connected with Rei 3 and trains and all...

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