Alfred F. Jones / United States of America
On request of CubaPwns13, I'll be looking into Italy and America. There may not be too much more to the characters than the bare minimum, but I'll give it my best shot because you were so kind in asking! ^^ I'll get to Italy next since I must do more research for him. I want to apologize if this isn't much. If I ever get more information, I'll be posting it in another chapter. Thank you.
Also, I want to address that I do not mean this in anyway to be the whole truth and nothing but the truth, still, with logic and evidence I hope to prove. There are some details I may get wrong, so please forgive my mistakes since I am not claiming to be God here ^^;. I just want to have people thinking when they read.
Name: Alfred F. Jones
Nation: United States of America
Gender: Male
Birthday: July 4
Hair color: Blonde
Eye color: Blue
Height: 177cm
Alfred is a cheerful, energetic, yet somewhat conceited young man who is obsessed with heroes, justice, and freedom. He has the habit of sticking his nose into everyone else's business, which causes him to have difficulty making friends. He loves hamburgers and junk food, and can even eat strange and inedible things due to inheriting Arthur's sense of taste (or lack thereof). Alfred is also known for not being aware of how "the atmosphere" is when he's around others(which, at one point, he was told to read it), but it has been noted that it's not that he lacks the ability to "assess the situation", he simply chooses not to. His profile states that his hobbies are sports, games, and making movies. Furthermore, in the side-story Black Ships Have Come, in introducing himself to Kiku, he states that his hobbies are "quick-draw, archaeology, and adventures" (which is translated to Kiku as Alfred's hobby being lechery). He possesses an abnormal amount of strength, shown even as a child by easily swinging a full-grown buffalo around, and has been once seen running around dragging a heavy SUV, belonging to Arthur, behind him for an hour in order to ask permission to borrow it.
Alfred is shown to be ignorant of the geography outside his own home, believing that maps of the United States are a "world map" and believes that he can simply get to other countries by car travel. He is shown becoming concerned about his weight in the strip Supersize You! and it is mentioned that he's invented strange diet machines as well as becoming obsessed with exercise (which has caused him to become paranoid about his rising weight, as he is unaware of his building muscle). As Alfred is obsessed with heroes and happy endings, he hopes that his future will be that way.
Though he is friends with an alien named Tony, he doesn't believe in Arthur's magical friends, the fairies or unicorns.
Okay, this is WAY more background than in is for most the other characters O.o I feel that someone really likes Alfred on Wiki . . . Anyway. Let's see if we can look into and explain his outlying personality. In a nut shell America is stated as:
Energetic
Optimistic
Charismatic
Ignorant (more like arrogant but we'll get there)
Self-centered
Oddly enough, I feel a little changed after looking at his character songs, but only slightly. Holy fudge cakes, if you wanted one of the shallowest characters in this anime, you got one. Why is it that one of the characters that shows up in so many episodes and has a HUGE fan base (I mean, literally! People pair this guy up with EVERYONE! And what's creepier is that they all make sense!) and there is little insight into the actual character. But, I am not giving up just yet!
As much as I love America to death, he is . . . a very contradictory character. This is stated with a form of conservatism because I can't dive as deep as I did in my previous chapter, not spending the extensive time and prepping weeks as I did for Russia. Sadly, this will hinder my argument greatly. What is my argument? America is more human than he lets on. He hides behind his smile to move on. I'm going to be basing this on the scanlations more than anything.
Like a good writer, I'll save my best for last so let's go to the Character songs that I don't think any one could take seriously. Oh gosh.
Hey you guys! Nufufu!
It's America, everybody's hero! HAHA!
All right! Let's go to the HAMBURGER STREET!
Gimme more Hamburger~
Gimme more Hamburger~
U・S・A OH YEAH!
Kinda cool, isn't it? GET IT ON
H・B・G Oh Yeah!
It's the world standard GOING ON
Only have a map of the United States
Can't sleep after watching anything scary
A cute, ready-for-a-fight nice guy?
U・S・AHERE WE GO!
Gimme more hamburger
Gimme more hamburger
U・F・OOH YEAH!
He's my best friend, "Tony!"
U・M・A OH YEAH!
The more unidentified, the better DREAM ON
Can't go without ice cream for dessert
I don't read the mood at allNA HA!
Big and many are considered normal
GIVE ME MORE HAMBURGER!
When you're cheerfulHAMBURGER(and shake-shake)
Even when you're sickHAMBURGER(and French fries)
If you put it on your forehead, you'll be better in no time
By the way, HEY BOY! What's a cold?
Being positive is very
GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!
HAMBURGER STREET
I am the hero of this world!
HAMBURGER STREET
Let's go, if it's for justiceYeah!
HAMBURGER STREET
I'm counting on your supportBoy & Girls
HAMBURGER STREET
I won't accept any objectionsHA!
You~ too~ Hamburger~
(HA! Dorufuu~)
You~ too~ Hamburger~
R・E・DHYA HO!
Of course red is my color, BECAUSE
U・S・AOH YEAH!
When another country is taking charge, POWER DOWN
Transformation is essential for being COOL
I don't think about what will happen after something is madeNA hH!
Don't care even if someone calls me fat
GIVE MEMOREHAMBURGER!
When you're aloneHAMBURGER(and shake-shake)
Even during a conferenceHAMBURGER(Bon Appétit!)
Every day, I change the seasoning so I don't grow tired of it
By the way,HEY GIRL!
How do I lose weight!
Online shopping is very
GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!
HAMBURGER STREET
I am the leader of this conference!
HAMBURGER STREET
A plan that's super sizedYeah!
HAMBURGER STREET
Feels like we're partyingBoy & Girls
HAMBURGER STREET
I won't accept any criticisms from England
If we were to compare the world to hamburger buns (Because you're stupid)
Cheese・Lettuce・Tomatoes and onions
Ketchup・Pickles・Mustard
Many different countries would be sandwiched together
And then the main attraction appears
The hamburger patty that everybody loves
That would be me, AMERICA
"The HERO BURGER is selling with rave reviews!"
HAMBURGER STREET
I am the hero of this world!
HAMBURGER STREET
Let's go, if it's for justiceYEAH!
HAMBURGER STREET
I'm counting on your support, BOY & GIRLS
HAMBURGER STREET
I won't accept any objectionsNA HA HA HA…
Gimme more hamburger
(HA HA HA… Dorufuu~!)
Gimme more hamburger
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!
Thank you, thank you all for supporting me!
I'm leaving the rest up to you,
Since a hero has many things that keeps him busy!
Hm, found more than I thought I would. That works in my favor. Now, Taking a closer look at the beginning, you may understand my hectic thinking. I guess you need that when working with America, right? Now, since I don't have so much that is solid, these are simply speculations of the character by slanted and askew angles. This is, again, a SPECULATION since I have very little to ground it.
America is EVERYONE'S HERO! This is mostly seen as stereotyping Americans because where ever there is trouble, US will be there! . . . Maybe it is something deeper. Through out history, the USA was once the most isolated country in the world. In the beginning of World War One, all of Europe was getting it hard and America was across the pond just living his life without an actual care. Once Germany attacked the passenger ship (I forget the name, but it was also carrying arms for the Allies so, in my opinion, they had a right) America was all up in arms to take the Germans down. Hence, the USA dived, head first, into the war.
Afterwards, with the League of Nations, America (THE CREATOR OF IT) did not join and returned to isolationism. This lasted until World War Two with Nazi Germany, but it was made public by the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. After WWII, Truman made the country the world police force, which is a real pain in the ass.
There can be three reasons the Hetalia America is like that:
1) He is just that arrogant and thinks he is just that awesome.
2) He wants to help look out for the little guy, and Heroes ALWAYS do that.
3) He regrets his isolationism where more people than necessary got killed and it could have been prevented
I'm going to say that the first and second ones are right, and the third one is me thinking too hard and tying him a little too close to the actual America of this world. The Americans are Crusaders in their own right, ready to jump into any war the second their boss rallies them together, but quick to become bored and find it a waste of time. Well . . . yeah, it kinda is.
Then the line that he doesn't read the atmosphere . . . Okay that isn't IGNORANCE that is ARROGANCE. As a matter of fact, America isn't ignorant at all. Stupid, well . . . yeah. Ignorant not at all it seems. He doesn't just "Not read the atmosphere" but that's in the NEXT song and I get ahead of myself. What I am trying to say is that America just really doesn't care.
Yay, let's all be POSITIVE! Oh jeez I'm gonna die. No, the matter is that America doesn't like thinking about the sad things in life. Think about it: He is always so optimistic, but he uses that smile to just keep moving. He dedicates one whole shed/room to all his dark past. Most of them weren't so dark at the time, but they soon become a mixture of regret, lost happiness, and denial.
The next part sort of goes hand in hand. Let's do it if it's for Justice, I won't take any criticism from England. Well, the entire reason America declared independence was because he felt England had unjustly pressed taxes and laws on them for no reason. While England DID have a reason, the way he went about it was totally wrong. It did push a sort of unjustified tone to it and completely deteriorated their relationship. On another note, America specifying England means that he sees him in specific. Ah, the colonial days: When pay was bad, life was hard, death was everyday, and the world just seemed perfect~. America doesn't want criticism from the former empire because he still wants his approval to an extent. As strange as it is, he grew up looking up at England and wants to please him just as much as Arthur wanted to please Alfred with all the childish gifts (but that's for Arthur's review). America is still looking for the recognition from England that he CAN take care of himself. That he IS just as strong, if not stronger than England. He wants the former empire to recognize him for what he did, does, and tries to do.
Now onto the next one where I PRAY to find more in there and not just a bunch of repeats.
WashingtonD.C.D.C.Oh, oh!
WashingtonD.C.D.C.Oh, oh!
Giving up is nonsense! This sky
Red line There are the shining stars
Cross the borders And bid your sadness Good-bye!
HAMBURGER Stuffed in your mouth
Come on Everybody! Dancing!
Washington D.C. D.C. Oh, oh!
Bang! With courage And justice All right!
1・2・3&Stand up!
Freedom!Oh, oh!
1・2・3&Stand up!
Freedom!Oh, oh!
I purposely won't read the atmosphere! Going my way (way way way…)
That's the style Overflowing vitality
Riding a UFO (Hehehehe…!) Watching a movie (Hehehehe...!)
Hot Night!
The party's cake is earth-colored! Join us!
1・2・3&Stand up!
Freedom!Oh, oh!
Use a machine to diet The result All right!
Now then, let's combine forces to solve the world's problems one by one!
Tell me, the hero, your ideas!
We can surely do it! We'll surely be okay!
Yes, we can!
Come on, you should all join us, with me!
High and proudly The flag waves Oh
Cross the borders And bid your sadness Good-bye!
HAMBURGER Stuffed in your mouth
Come on Everybody! Dancing!
WashingtonD.C.D.C.Oh, oh!
Now then, I'm going to announce everyone's assignment!
Let's see… first off,
England, I want you to be part of my chorus
Next, France will be part of my chorus,
And China will be part of my chorus!
Eeh... Lastly, Russia has an important role to play:
Being part of my chorus!
That's all!
Huh? What am I going to do?
That's a good question! Of course, I'm going to be the hero!
WashingtonD.C.D.C.Oh, oh!
THANK YOU!
Okay, not as much as I would have hoped. Grr. America: The land of the free, home of the brave, and the biggest hoarder of imbeciles on the planet (Not all American, but a few too many mind you~). Now, the funny joke and a dash of irony I wish to point out is that it says "Cross the boarders and bid your sadness good-bye". The only boarder people are allowed to cross without machine guns being aimed at them is Canada! Mexico has police and all sorts of machinery ready to blow you up~. America ISN'T what it's choked up to be people XD Really.
Courage and justice . . . from the unjust. Right, all the symbols of America are thrown to the dumpster when you really meet the people. I feel this melancholy pain in my chest. When people died everyday all around the world, it was such a nicer place~. To an extent.
HA! THERE! SEE IT! He purposefully DOESN'T read the atmosphere. Why? Just because. No one in the world can get America's hopes down . . . besides England. Yesh! You heard me right! ENGLAND! He doesn't read the mood because he simply doesn't want to let the weight drag him down. He wants more than anything NOT to become like the other countries. England who lost all his fun after giving up the privateer life *sniffle~*. France after the Revolution. Russia after the revolts. China after the Open Door policy (And Japan who, sadly enough, was FORCED into the same policy by AMERICA himself). All of them, though depicted as funny, fluffy, lovey-dovey characters, are all quite depressing. Wouldn't they miss the good old days when war and blood ruled everyday living? When the blood shed was honorable and the death wasn't so quick. America never got to see that age. He knew absolutely NOTHING of what was going on. All the wars and all the glory. Regrettably, it ended all too soon. But they all hold a form of depression to a degree. America does everything he can to live without the past because it always seems sweet and bitter after it is all said and done.
Now, to further my thought process, I'll be gazing at the scanlations of America's Cleaning Shed. The best form of evidence I got (sad really). Now, when we start out, we see Alfred with his smile. Upbeat as usual. As happy as he ever is. Then he enters the room. He goes from "Happy carefree" to "This smile is really hard to wear". He remembers the toy soldiers and feels a little put out. One can only see his back, but can also assume that the smile is gone, or at least wavering. He finds the suit and simply states, "And this". When people talk, their answers or comments become more and more curt, tart, and short as their mood turns cold. He remembers the incident and frowns. Suddenly he has an obviously fake smile begging for something that ISN'T depressing. He finds the musket and smiles. Old, good for display . . . he sees the scratch. He looks like his whole world just fell apart in that one moment.
What is the next thing we see? We see him outside. He ran from the past and the pain and the memories. He ran away from it all. He isn't as happy-go-lucky as one would have thought. He even called the one memory of the toy soldiers "Depressing" How could a happy childhood memory be depressing? Because they were the good times with England, when he could look up and feel truly safe. When Alfred had a guardian, protector, and loving brother. He realizes he threw that all away, but he had no real choice in the matter. He misses being happy and content with Arthur, but those are past days and they will never be coming back.
My final conclusion of America: He is in total denial. He doesn't want to admit anything about his feelings of depression and loss. He isn't all he is cracked up to be. He does realize the over powering feelings of sadness and melancholy, but he doesn't want to show them. He isn't ignorant and unaware, he just chooses NOT to be. He doesn't want to live with a constant nag, but the more he tries to forget, it is very possible he is burying himself deeper in his own despair.
So those are my ends. You may have your own. I hope you review and look forward to any of the newer dissections coming out at some point or another O.o Love you all~!
Sited:
.com/wiki/Hamburger_Street
.com/wiki/W%E3%83%BBD%E3%83%BBC_~World_Dancing~
.com/wiki/Alfred_F._Jones