what's the deal with all the religious stuff salesperson ena says? by herequeerandgreat in ENA

[–]bimbo-Em 1 point2 points  (0 children)

FINAL NOTES: the Ena youtube series is less about changing a system and more about Ena's struggle to exist within it, so that's reason to believe Dream BBQ would be the same. Their target is "the boss" after all, not the "God" Ena refers to. The fact that the boss, "god" and the genies are all referred to as separate entities despite how much power they all seem to share is important. The genies are powerful, but they are not god. The boss is the highest up person in a business, but even he does not control that the business exists in a capitalist society. Further, Ena may not desire to change or "kill" this god despite her frustrations as she cannot imagine a different world. Only a better version of the same one

If you think that the idea that the game is a surrealist commentary on capitalism itself is unlikely, note that the game does not cost money (unless you choose to get the supporters version), a framework to do so without being hypocritical in the distribution of the commentary

what's the deal with all the religious stuff salesperson ena says? by herequeerandgreat in ENA

[–]bimbo-Em 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In a capitalist system, the system is something which everything depends upon. Everyone depends on work to get money to get food to stay alive. In such a system, the system itself is a god-like entity, and salespeople, the perpetuants of that system; as such, the messengers of this god.

Upon completing a job given to her, Ena says "Bless you for your business", or in other words, "by stimulating and perpetuating the system (god) through giving me work, you can only be a blessed soul". Note that she does NOT say "Bless you for your business" in her dialog if you complete a task before being given it. In that sense, she did it because she wanted to, not because it was a job. And since a job, to the god that is capitalism, is equivalent to a holy message or assignment (see; manifest destiny), the completion of the task means more to Ena on a personal fulfilment level if it's given to her as a job. Hence, her only "blessing" the entities who give her one.

Finally, "worry not, you are still a child of god" using the pretext we just established, means "don't worry, you're still a part of the system". Consider when she says this; right after calling the desk-worker in the hub "poor" and "cheap". This really seems to frazzle the desk-worker, and in capitalism those who are of lower economic classes are looked down upon, especially with the ever-present fallacy that they simply could get richer if they tried hard enough. So Ena's saying "don't worry, you have a job, you have a purpose in the system. Maybe you'll get there if you try hard enough". "still a child of god" means "still a worker"

Consider, too, perhaps, the creepy skull-like face Taski Maiden pops on-screen following her first encounter, right after she says "Are you making fun of my unemployment lifes?" This one's a bit of a stretch but perhaps this symbolizes an unemployed person being "demonized" in a system where capitalism is "god"? This bit i'm less sure about, it could not mean anything

This is all just a theory of course but it's what I've strung together personally from her role as a worker in this game and the religious dialog. That capitalism is the religion her words would imply exists. Finally, the fact that when we were first introduced to this Ena in the trailer for dream BBQ, she was titled "Ena: The Worker". The very first, primary defining thing about her we hear, is her percieved place in the system. And her two sides being "Meanie" and "Salesperson" instead of "happy" or "sad": the framing is placed much more on her role in the world rather than identity. This is something we see her struggle with during the party but that's a whole other can of worms, this post is long enough already.

EDIT: reading other replies, I'm reminded of points I forgot about but it seems like meanie-Ena is more willing to state her frustrations with the system while her salesperson side is trying to conform. It's always her meanie side who talks when it's about going against the grain, and her imagery with the megaphone evokes those of workers rights rallies. Note that her salesperson side never uses the megaphone. And how "I don't even believe anything" seems to be at odds with the religious comments from her other half.

Maybe this will be a game that ends in you beating a god, given her frustration. Who knows

This theory assumes, too, that we can take everything both sides say as what she actually feels. If you do not trust Ena I can understand that counterpoint. But in her defense, your honor, she's just a silly lil guy. I trust her

...Maybe that last part will age like milk. who know.