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alwayscomeback) wrote2014-11-12 09:59 pm
Basics
Not to say he's optimistic, oh no. Sokka lives in a deep-seated world of cynicism. He tells Katara that being an idealist is 'pretty much the same thing' as being a liar. He learns to become more hopeful as the series progresses, as they get closer and closer to ending the war, but the cynicism still remains, his little armour against a world that's taken away far too many people he loves from him.
Sokka has a deep sense of responsibility, a tangible desire to protect the people he loves. Understandable, really, being next in line for chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe, he has grown up knowing his people will eventually look to him for protection and guidance. This is made even more prevalent to him when his father leaves with the other men to fight the war, leaving the young Sokka in charge of the Tribe's protection, a responsibility he too very seriously, trying to train the much younger children to fight, and being fully prepared to fight a fire nation ship alone, with just his boomerang.
When he became part of Team Avatar, that desire to protect others shifted to his travelling companions, who became family to him and Katara in their own right. They, too, he would defend time and time again, despite not having the advantage of being a Bender on his side. He didn't care, they were his loved ones, and they were his responsibility, and he'd take care of them no matter what. Katara especially gets this, even when he disagrees with what she's doing at first (hello Painted Lady) he will always stand with her. His loyalty could never be questioned.
He has always been the 'idea guy' or the group. He's exceptionally intelligent and can put together impressive strategies and battle plans, and makes it his personal vendetta to make sure the group remain on schedule. Despite his need for schedules and order, he thinks much better when his back is to the wall, and he needs to think on his feet. This is when he's at his most natural, and can pull stuff out of thin air to get him out of trouble almost every time. A true member of the Water Tribe, he's versatile and able to change when he needs to, like the element his people are so strongly linked to.
He tends to be very proud, and on occasion stubborn when he thinks he's in the right about something. Such as his insistence that boys make far better warriors when faced with the all-female Kyoshi warriors, or his prejudice against all Fire Nation, believing them all murderous evil monsters. Spending time with both these groups, however, showed him that there were exceptions to every rule, and once he realised how wrong he was, he was quick to apologise and learn from the experience.
As his sword master observed, Sokka's strongest traits are his creativity, versatility and intelligence. They are what make him a great warrior, and certainly equals him to his Bender friends, the knowledge of which finally allowed him to see himself as a worthwhile addition to the group. Sokka is the sort who doesn't only think outside of the box, he thinks outside the box that's a few boxes over from the box everyone else is stuck inside.
He has a great sense of right and wrong. Even with an understandable prejudice towards the Fire Nation, he refused to harm an innocent village of them, when Jet planned to destroy them. Using his head, he went to the villagers and convinced them to get to safety, knowing that was far more important than continually proving himself right against Jet. He understands that innocents are just that: innocents, regardless of what nation they belong to. Sure, he'll throw a sarcastic or spiteful remark around now and again, but when it comes down to the line, Sokka will choose the noble and decent action every time. (He's also good at rhyme)
A sarcastic cynic, Sokka is a great, if unorthodox person to have on your side, always ready with a crazy plan and a witty comeback. He'll be your best friend forever if you feed him.
He and Katara came across a frozen boy in an iceberg, this turned out to be the Avatar, the one being who could bring peace and unity to the land again. What followed was a year of travelling, battling and trying to stay one step ahead of the fire nation, trying to teach Aang to master all four elements in the hopes of defeating the Fire Nation and bringing an end to the war. Along the way, they gained allies and enemies, some enemies even became friends (looking at you, Zuko). During this time, Sokka grew as the team's strategist and moral pick-me-up support. He loved and lost (she turned into the moon, it's a long story) and learned to love again. But he constantly remained the group's solid footing. Seriously, if this was Captain Planet, he'd be that lame-o power of heart.