Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-1672596-20130326171333/@comment-1210805-20130327125725

I think we're analysing this too much from a real world sense and not enough from a narrative sense. One of the most important things in writing is subtext. Subtext can reveal a lot and often contradicts much of what is blatantly shown. It can be used to convey ideas, imply character traits and even confuse. Kojima's use of Guevara as a comparison and recurring theme was likely done for many reasons, and I feel that most are less to do with actual character's beliefs.

First of all is context. Peace Walker is set during the early 70s. Information was less easily accessed and people were relying more on what they were told. In many parts of the world it was near impossible to fact check. Peace Walker is set in such a part of the World. Now, between Big Boss and Miller they could have used many different figures, American or otherwise. But, this wouldn't have leant itself to the themes. Other characters wouldn't be quite as familiar. However, due to the where and when of PW, many characters were familiar with El Che.

Onto the characters. We have an era of propaganda, with a number of characters familiar with how much goes on. Miller and Big Boss are well aware of how much propaganda was going on, and as such, may have been quite sceptical over the things they hear about people such a Guevara.

Now onto themes, the most important part. Guevara is a polarised figure, even to this day. He's a figure who's beliefs and ideals have been interpreted and misinterpreted again and again, in many different ways. He was and still is a hero to some, and a villain to others. Ring any bells. Big Boss. Peace Walker was all about Big Boss starting his transformation from Patriotic American hero with a somewhat Solid Snake like personality, to his more polarised legendary mercenary status. This is shown through the change in naming from Snake to Big Boss. Guevara isn't used because of his particular set of beliefs or his exact methods, he was chosen due to the way history has treated him, and the parallels that has with the Big Boss story.

When we look at things like this, we need to take a step back and remove ourselves from out own beliefs, political, ethical and historical. This is a work of fiction and uses certain story telling techniques. Big Boss isn't supposed to be a hero, or a villain. He's a man with goal, who used certain means. Praised and lorded by some, vilified by others.