Patrick: I’ve been very good . . .
I do everything you ask, and I do it as well as I can.
I wake you up when your alarm doesn’t. I cook. I clean. I ‘m trying to learn to read your language. I try not to make Sparrow mad. And she’s nicer now, so it must be working. I didn’t even “pick a fight” with the Being following you at the library!
I have done everything right! You have no reason to send me away!
. . . Do you?
Well if you keep having outbursts like that…
Anyway, time to fight! *Grabs popcorn, giant “GO PATRICK” banner set up*
Last panel Patrick needs a hug.
Patrick’s insecurities match Bianca’s insecurities. It’s cute.
Aaaand Patrick manages to get it right whilst completely missing the point all at the same time!
Beings are… very messed up creatures, aren’t they? Regardless how anyone acts to them, their basis for being appreciated and loved seems to be that they are kept and used… Patrick doesn’t understand what the girls have been trying to do for him the way a human would, does he?
Right. It’s a case of crossed signals and negative feedback loop. Bianca thinks that Patrick is concerned about self-determination and freedom, so she sends signals of, “It’s okay to be on your own.” Patrick, however, is concerned with wanting others to value and own him, so he sees Bianca’s signals as a form of uncertainty over whether she wants to keep him (emphasized by her actual uncertainty in the role). And the more he reacts negatively to her perceived and actual uncertainty, the more she begins to think she’s not doing a good job being his master and becomes increasingly uncertain for real. And so on.
Depends on the human. People who were abused by their caregivers when they were young, for instance, often find it hard to accept unconditional love or feel inherently worthwhile. It takes time and work to readjust that sort of mental state.
The big question being “Do beings have human psychology”. Depending on how that one is answered of course you run the risk of becoming a slavery apologist or a colonial apologist (Either ‘yes some intelligent things can be made to serve’ or ‘it’s O.K to replace an inferior culture with superior western culture)
Quite the hotpot XD. Good thing I personally don’t care how you resolve that particular conflict, and will be entertained regardless.
Seriously: Love your comic, have been recommending it to all my friends. Especially people frustrated with Gunnerkreig court because the author prefers teasing the audience to actually resolving standing questions, unlike you who plans your revelations in advance and resolves every question eventually (In my experience at least).
Also, worked out that what the previous owner said to get rid of patrick was. Something to the effect of “I no longer want you, I break the contract, you are free”
Patrick is I think still in a way the small child. He NEEDS adult guidance, and he knows it. He is however more capable than he thinks, but he does need practice. Many masters throughout history would prevent that practice as unsafe.
You have to raise someone to be a slave, or break the spirit, you also have to raise them to be free. Being responsible to the world for yourself is hard work.
“If you don’t have a reason not to want to do something, just say yes.”
…
Crap crap crap crap crap. I thought that was a good workaround but all it does is make every question an order.