#hs20 act1

[homestuck-in-the-20s]

ACT 1 OVERVIEW:

This will be split into sections- Summary , analysis, feelings. Summary- On his 13th birthday, an anxiously anticipated mysterious video game is finally delivered to John Egbert, however the process of playing it isn't so simple. He must contend with the simple struggles of cohabitation with a parent and the odd physics of his universe. With an internet friend, a girl named Rose Lalonde, he begins to play the game Sburb, a game that alters the very universe. Analysis- Hussie begins this adventure with the usage of a fairly basic format, choose-your-own-adventure styled text beneath an image. He quickly subverts expectations of random humor and lack of forethought one might envision from such a topic, especially one exceedingly involved with internet culture and meta humor. There is a childishness to the writing, of course, but keep in mind the protagonists of this story are, as of now, only 13. In many ways, the demographic of Homestuck was young teenagers. In my recollection, the comedic stylings of these characters in many ways ring very true. Hussie is able to establish novel worldbuilding elements cleverly and in a way that feels threaded together with the plot of the story. Hussie's ability to characterize his protagonists through their voice alone is nothing to be scoffed at.

Thematically, everything is in it's very beginning so I don't have much to say on this matter as of now. I know the symbol of an apple, the biting of which starts the game, is something that comes around later. Through the grapevine, I heard this choice was quite controversial. I wonder if the fact that the story begins with such a biblical allusion is taken note of when criticizing the ending.

One thing I did find particularly interesting is Hussie's use of foreshadowing. I know that at least for the beginning of the epic, the choose your own adventure aspect of the work was quite literal with forum participation. The way the story unfolds, it makes me wonder what has been pre-planned from the beginning and what elements are clever reincorporation? This might be something to keep an eye out as the blog progresses.

The inciting incident of Homestuck as a whole, the meteor, appears only on the final page of act I. feelings- I was surprised at how many emotions reading this through caused in me. The amount of time I spent invested in homestuck as a child is unbelievable, but I've compartmentalized so much of my life around media. I felt deeply uncomfortable during some points, but almost cathartic. I found it a rather taxing read- not for the usual of length, density, or convolutedness often attributed to homestuck, in fact I found it rather jaunty- because of the way it gestured towards emotions of my past that I would rather forget. The reason I made this blog is to help me muscle through it. This text will likely continue to be taxing.

This is it for now. See you on the next reading session. Goodbye!

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