A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
“Wait a minute Mister Postman”: the problem of Termina in a single man.
A close look at a character who lives by the clock, in a world that lives by the clock.
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
“He was lonely”: the pathos of Skull Kid.
In this piece, I analyze Skull Kid as a character, and question whether he ought to be forgiven for his actions.
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
Line Analysis: “You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?”
I apply the theory developed over the course of the series thus far in an analysis of the iconic line, "You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?"
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
Dawn of a New Year, and the curious case of the Happy Mask Salesman in Termina.
Discussing a Happy New Year, and analyzing the Happy Mask Salesman.
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
Interlude: of theoretical gaming analysis, and “Majora’s Mask” versus James Joyce.
In this post, I take a first pass at articulating the rationale behind my approach to "Majora's Mask," and what I am ultimately after with this tack of video game analysis.
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
Why can’t Skull Kid be healed? Part III of III examining the Song of Healing.
Given the analysis I have offered of the Song of Healing, how can we account for the fact that Link cannot use the song to heal Skull Kid / Majora?
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
“If you truly can see me, then follow behind me.” Part II of III examining the Song of Healing.
A first pass at what Darmani and Mikau can teach us about heroism in Termina.
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
You don’t have to know anything about Buddhism to appreciate “Majora’s Mask,” but it helps.
I model Termina and Link through Buddhist philosophy, and move towards explanations of masks and their Salesman.
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
Mister Owl, how many timelines does it take to get to the center of free will and determinism?
With the background of Kaepora Gaebora, I take a first pass at sketching a Majoran thesis of free will / determinism.
A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask
“My sorrows are melting away into the song”: how to build a universe out of music.
In this post, I argue that music is a prime example of how "Majora" is simultaneously familiar and terrifyingly different from the rest of the "Zelda" canon: it takes the significance of sound to a whole new level in game design.