Reference:   Part A -- Shueisha bunko 3, 332-335 (tankoubon 6);   not in anime
Part B -- Shueisha bunko 3, 359-362 (tankoubon 6);   anime ep.30

Jump to:     Manga: Part A | Manga: Part B | Anime | Comments

 

 Manga: Part A

[ In the manga, the scene describing Oscar's confrontation with her father is preceded by a talk with her mother from several scenes back.   While it is not crucial to understanding the story, I feel that the preceding scene gives a good explanation for why Oscar does what she does later.   This scene takes place right after André's attempt to poison Oscar.   Oscar enters her mother's bedroom. ]

Mme. de J.:	Oscar?
Oscar:	Yes, Mother.
Mme. de J.:	Oscar!? [ looks down at a kneeling Oscar by her lap ]
Oscar:	I am not Father's puppet! I'm neither a man nor a woman, living like this throughout all these years, following the path of an officer whether I like it or not! And now marriage, to be a bride ... I'm supposed to return to womanhood, just as Father ordered? Father has forgotten that I too have a heart, a body raging with human blood! What does Father think I am anyway? Please tell me, Mother! Mother!
Mme. de J.:	Oscar, sometimes parents are rather foolish. The more you love someone, the more anxious and foolish you become. You probably knew that it's quite unstable these days. There are riots and revolts everywhere. Judging by your temper, if you stayed in the military, you would definitely lead your troops into the storm. And surely you would charge into the whirlwind of bullets without any fear or sense of retreat. Your father wants to find a safe harbor for his beloved child before the storm. He only wants you to raise a family in peace like any ordinary woman. Parent are always like that. We can't stop worrying about our children. Aren't you going to laugh at our foolishness?
Oscar:	{{ Father is ... So that's what Father was thinking, setting up the marriage plans and all ... Oh ... }}
Mme. de J.:	Oscar, your father has already regretted his decision.
Oscar:	{{ I didn't know ... No, I didn't ... }}

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 Manga: Part B

[ A few days go by.   One night, Oscar enters her father's room. ]

Oscar:	Father, please tell me ... Had I been raised as a girl from the beginning, would I be married off before turning 15 like my sisters? Playing the harp and singing arias elegantly, wearing fancy dresses to society balls and laughing gaily every night?! Pinning on moles made of silk and velvet, toying with rose-scented perfume and Arabesque cosmetics box, * patting on stifling powder, giving birth and raising children?! Please tell me! * [ Arabesque = abstract geometric patterns, as in a mosaic ]
General:	Yes, had you been raised as a girl from the beginning ...
Oscar:	Father, thank you ... for giving me a life like this ... Though a woman until now I have pursued a way of living in the wider world, amidst what would have been an ordinary life filled with human follies. I will have no regrets from now on. I ... I will live as the son of Mars, the god of War, dedicating my body to swords and bullets, devoting my entire life to the the role of an officer. As the son of Mars, the God of War ...

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 Anime

[ The anime skips over Part A and re-interprets Part B.   In this scene, much of what happens is pictorial, so it's a bit hard to describe.   I only picked out the essential lines for comparison. ]

[ Oscar enters the study, shouting that she has no plans to marry.   General Jarjayes tells her to sit down and then asks about her work at the French Guards.   Oscar replies that her work is not a hardship, but rather a challenge she quite enjoys.   Jarjayes looks away and starts crying. ]

General:	I'm sorry, Oscar.   Forgive me ... for not raising you as a woman and offering you a woman's happiness. Please forgive your father... < ... >
Oscar:	[ picks up a white rose from the bouquet and begins tearing off the petals one by one ] < ... > Rather I thank you, Father, for raising me as a man. As a man I can forget everything and pursue a stronger life.
[ General Jarjayes continues to talk about his wish for her happiness.   Oscar collects the petals in her palms and blows them away.   As the petals descend, she gets up and leaves, ignoring her father's plea for finding her a suitor. ]

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Here, the manga and anime give somewhat different takes on Oscar's views about her femininity.   In the manga, Oscar learns about the reason for General Jarjayes' marriage plans from her mother, and then confronts Jarjayes.   She realizes that she is fortunate to have escaped a noblewoman's limited lifestyle.   For this reason, she is grateful towards her father and no longer in doubt about her future.

On the other hand, the anime redirects the focus to General Jarjayes.   Much of Oscar's speech is replaced with de Jarjayes' apologies for not having raised her as a woman.   Oscar only reassures Jarjayes that she is content with the life she had and thanks him for raising her as a man.   Yet it is hard to tell just what it is about a man's lifestyle that appeals to Oscar.   What does she mean by "forgetting everything" and "stronger life"?   The anime leaves it to the viewer's imagination.

The imagery of roses, however, is easy to follow.   By tearing off the petals, Oscar is showing her frustration at the marriage plans in a discrete way.   At the same time, if the rose is a symbol of herself, she is saying good-bye to her former self.   When the petals drift away, she too walks away, leaving her past and her father's plans behind.

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