Na'vi Web of Sleep

When watching the movie Avatar, I found the image of the hammocks in the tree where they slept to be striking. The many "beds," if they can be called that, resembled a glistening spider's web. This, like the image of the community creating a series of connections when Jake is welcomed, shows the interconnectedness the Na'vi people feel in their community. There are both large group hammocks that a whole family will share and smaller ones that can be used by one or two individuals. The emphasis on family sleeping arrangement also demonstrates the importance of the group to the Na’vi culture.


When I saw them I also thought of spider webs. The sleeping structures again made the characters appear more animalistic even though they are sleeping in the same positions as humans would. This reinforces the clash between human and animal that is found in their DNA. This is a constant contradiction that goes far beyond their outward appearance.

On a more emotional level, the tree containing the hammocks provides a sort of community bond. For those watching it who do not have a close relationship with their family or community, this creates a huge gap between image and self-image. Most people desire a close network of relationships whether or not they are willing to admit it. The Na’vi have this means of maintaining the relationships among their people, while most humans do not. Watching close relationships develop on the screen can lead to the “Avatar depression” phenomenon we discussed in class- the human world can never reach the standards that have been set by the Na’vi civilization.characters appear more animalistic even though they are sleeping in the same positions as humans would. This reinforces the clash between human and animal that is found in their DNA. This is a constant contradiction that goes far beyond their outward appearance.









This scene sets up the message that our culture is too individualistic and has lost the power of relationships. When watching this (very short) scene in the movie, one cannot help but be reminded of the need for interactions in our lives. Like a myth, it simplifies the aspects of what is natural and gives us clarity about the associations in our lives. This helps close the gap found between the image and self-image.

When watching the movie Avatar, I found the image of the hammocks in the tree where they slept to be striking. The many "beds," if they can be called that, resembled a glistening spider's web. This, like the image of the community creating a series of connections when Jake is welcomed, shows the interconnectedness the Na'vi people feel in their community. There are both large group hammocks that a whole family will share and smaller ones that can be used by one or two individuals. The emphasis on family sleeping arrangement also demonstrates the importance of the group to the Na’vi culture.

When I saw them I also thought of spider webs. The sleeping structures again made the characters appear more animalistic even though they are sleeping in the same positions as humans would. This reinforces the clash between human and animal that is found in their DNA. This is a constant contradiction that goes far beyond their outward appearance.

On a more emotional level, the tree containing the hammocks provides a sort of community bond. For those watching it who do not have a close relationship with their family or community, this creates a huge gap between image and self-image. Most people desire a close network of relationships whether or not they are willing to admit it. The Na’vi have this means of maintaining the relationships among their people, while most humans do not. Watching close relationships develop on the screen can lead to the “Avatar depression” phenomenon we discussed in class- the human world can never reach the standards that have been set by the Na’vi civilization.characters appear more animalistic even though they are sleeping in the same positions as humans would. This reinforces the clash between human and animal that is found in their DNA. This is a constant contradiction that goes far beyond their outward appearance.

This scene sets up the message that our culture is too individualistic and has lost the power of relationships. When watching this (very short) scene in the movie, one cannot help but be reminded of the need for interactions in our lives. Like a myth, it simplifies the aspects of what is natural and gives us clarity about the associations in our lives. This helps close the gap found between the image and self-image.