In the thrilling world of Attack on Titan, Eren Yeager's decision to unleash the Rumbling has been a hot topic among fans. Why did he choose such a drastic path? It’s a complex blend of motivations, beliefs, and desperation shaped by his experiences. In this post, we’ll dive into the reasons Eren didn't stop the Rumbling, starting with a deeper understanding of the concept itself.
Understanding the Rumbling Concept

The Rumbling isn’t just a catastrophic event; it’s a symbol of Eren’s struggle against a world that has perpetually oppressed his people. Here’s a breakdown of what the Rumbling represents:
- A Last Resort: Eren views the Rumbling as the final solution to eradicate any threat to his kind, the Eldians. The immense power of the Wall Titans is a tool for him to ensure that the cycle of hatred ends.
- Historical Context: Throughout history in the series, Eldians have faced brutal discrimination. Eren’s choice can be seen as a response to this oppression, aiming to assert their dominance to prevent future suffering.
- Desperation and Isolation: After witnessing the horrors of war and betrayal, Eren feels isolated. This desperation influences his decision-making, pushing him towards a path he believes is necessary for his people’s survival.
Moreover, the concept of the Rumbling is tightly intertwined with Eren’s character development. Initially, he fought for freedom, but as he learned more about the world outside, his perspective shifted dramatically. Here are some key points to consider:
Key Moment | Impact on Eren |
---|---|
Discovering Marley | Realization of Eldian persecution fuels his anger. |
Loss of Friends | Deepens his resolve to protect his loved ones at any cost. |
Revelation of Powers | Gains insight into the true nature of his Titan abilities, intensifying his mission. |
As Eren grapples with these revelations, the Rumbling becomes less about destruction and more about survival. He sees it as a necessary evil, a means to ensure that those he loves will live without fear of annihilation. Ultimately, his choice reflects a tragic irony: in his quest to protect, he embraces the very violence he once sought to escape.
Understanding the Rumbling helps us see the depth of Eren’s motivations. It’s not just about chaos; it’s about a desperate fight for freedom and survival in a world that has always turned its back on the Eldians.
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3. Eren’s Motivations and Goals

Eren Yeager, the protagonist-turned-antagonist of Attack on Titan, is a character whose motivations are deeply complex and often misunderstood. At first glance, it appears that Eren's decision to not stop the Rumbling is solely driven by revenge and a desire for freedom. However, if we dig deeper, we find that his motivations are rooted in a desire to reshape the world and ensure the survival of his friends and people.
From the beginning, Eren has been fueled by a fierce determination to break free from the walls that confined him. The trauma of witnessing his mother’s death and the constant threat posed by Titans shaped his worldview. He believes that in order to create a future where his friends can live without fear, he must take drastic actions, even if it means becoming the very monster he despises. This paradox illustrates a key aspect of Eren's character: the lengths one will go for freedom.
Moreover, Eren's motivations are heavily influenced by his experiences with the Marleyans. After learning the truth about the world and the cycle of hatred between Eldians and Marleyans, he feels a deep sense of responsibility. Eren's goal shifts from merely defeating Titans to eradicating the threat posed by humanity itself. He believes that by unleashing the Rumbling, he can create a definitive end to the conflict, thus freeing his people from the cycle of hatred that has plagued them for generations.
- Desire for Freedom: Eren's main drive is to liberate his people from oppression.
- Protecting Loved Ones: He aims to ensure the safety of his friends and family at any cost.
- End of the Cycle of Hatred: Eren seeks to break the chain of violence between Eldians and Marleyans.
In essence, Eren's motivations are a blend of personal and ideological elements. His actions may seem villainous, but they stem from a place of desperation and a skewed sense of righteousness. This complexity makes him one of the most compelling characters in the series.
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4. The Role of the Founding Titan
The Founding Titan is central to Eren's plan and serves as a powerful tool in his quest to realize his vision for the world. This Titan holds the unique ability to manipulate the memories and bodies of Eldians, which Eren utilizes to assert control over the path of history itself. Understanding the role of the Founding Titan is crucial in grasping why Eren did not stop the Rumbling.
When Eren activated the Rumbling, he tapped into the full potential of his Founding Titan abilities. This transformation allowed him to awaken countless Colossal Titans embedded within the walls, creating an unstoppable force. But beyond mere destruction, Eren uses the Founding Titan to influence the thoughts and memories of Eldians, sowing a sense of unity and purpose among them.
One of the most significant aspects of the Founding Titan's role is its connection to the past. Eren gains access to the memories of previous holders, which informs his decisions and actions. This ancestral knowledge creates a weighty burden and amplifies his sense of destiny. He feels that he must follow this path laid out before him, believing that it’s the only way to ensure a future free from oppression.
Founding Titan Abilities | Description |
---|---|
Memory Manipulation | Alters the memories of Eldians, allowing Eren to control their thoughts and feelings. |
Control Over Titans | Can command all Titans, creating a vast army to enforce his will. |
Pathway Access | Links past and future Titans, giving Eren insight into the history and potential of his race. |
In conclusion, the Founding Titan isn't just a tool for Eren; it symbolizes his overarching purpose. It encapsulates the hope and despair he feels for his people while simultaneously being the key to his devastating plan. By not stopping the Rumbling, Eren embraces the full weight of his abilities, choosing a path of destruction as a means to an end, firmly believing that this will ultimately lead to freedom for his people.
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5. Impact of Historical Context on Eren's Choices
To truly understand why Eren Yeager didn’t stop the Rumbling, we need to dive deep into the historical context surrounding his character. The world of Attack on Titan is steeped in a complex history of conflict, oppression, and the struggle for freedom. Eren’s choices are not made in a vacuum; they are deeply influenced by the events that shaped the world he lives in.
Let’s consider the long-standing feud between the Eldians and the Marleyans. For centuries, Eldians have faced discrimination, violence, and systemic oppression. The history of oppression has etched deep scars in the Eldian psyche. Eren, having been raised in this environment, carries the weight of that trauma. His upbringing in Marley, where he witnessed the horrors inflicted upon his people, only fueled his anger and desire for liberation. This historical context creates a sense of urgency in his actions, pushing him toward drastic measures.
Moreover, the memories of past Eldian leaders, especially those who wielded the power of the Titans, play a crucial role in shaping Eren's perspective. He embraces a vision where he believes the only way to secure freedom for his people is through radical actions, including the annihilation of those who threaten them. This reflects a cycle of violence that has defined Eldian history. Eren’s choices are a reaction to a legacy of suffering, making it hard for him to envision any other path.
Another layer to this historical context is the perception of Titans themselves. Initially seen as monsters, the Titans become symbols of power and fear. For Eren, this realization transforms his understanding of strength and vulnerability. The historical narrative surrounding the Titans influences his belief that he must become a monster to protect those he loves. He adopts a mindset that sees the Rumbling as a necessary evil—an act of desperation rooted in the historical context of survival against oppression.
In essence, Eren's decision to not stop the Rumbling is a culmination of a deeply ingrained historical narrative that speaks to the pain and struggle of his people. It’s a tragic reflection of how history can shape an individual’s choices, driving them toward actions that may seem unthinkable in different circumstances.
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6. Character Relationships and Their Influence
Character relationships in Attack on Titan are pivotal in shaping Eren’s motivations and decisions, especially regarding the Rumbling. Eren’s bonds with key characters not only influence his choices but also highlight the emotional turmoil underpinning his actions.
Consider Eren’s relationship with Mikasa and Armin. These friendships serve as anchors for him, representing hope and a sense of normalcy in a chaotic world. However, as Eren becomes consumed by his mission, he starts to isolate himself from them. This alienation is heartbreaking, but it also reinforces his belief that he must carry the burden alone. Eren’s decision to initiate the Rumbling is partly driven by a desire to protect Mikasa and Armin, albeit through a misguided lens. He believes that by eradicating their enemies, he can secure a safe future for them, even if it means sacrificing his humanity along the way.
On the flip side, Eren's relationship with Zeke is equally complex. Their shared bloodline and familial ties propel them into a deep and complicated connection. Zeke’s ideology contrasts sharply with Eren’s, serving as a foil to his character. Eren's eventual alignment with Zeke’s vision reveals how their relationship shapes his decisions, pushing him further down a path of destruction. This dynamic showcases how relationships can both nurture and complicate one's beliefs, leading to a catastrophic outcome.
- Mikasa: Represents Eren’s emotional core and the human side he struggles to suppress.
- Armin: Acts as a moral compass, but Eren's fear of losing him leads to a tragic disconnect.
- Zeke: A catalyst for Eren’s darker choices, representing a twisted notion of freedom.
Ultimately, these relationships paint a poignant picture of Eren's internal conflict. His connections drive him to make choices that not only affect him but also the people he loves. It’s a tragic irony that the bonds meant to protect and empower him become factors in his darkest decisions. This interplay between character relationships and Eren’s choices adds depth to his narrative, making his journey all the more heart-wrenching.
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7. Philosophical Themes Explored Through Eren's Actions
Eren Yeager's decision to not stop the Rumbling is steeped in profound philosophical themes that resonate deeply with the audience. One of the most significant themes is the concept of freedom versus determinism. Throughout the series, Eren grapples with the question of whether individuals can truly be free or if they are bound by the circumstances of their existence.
In the early episodes, Eren fights passionately for the freedom of his friends and his people, embodying a spirit of rebellion against the Titans. However, as he evolves, his understanding of freedom becomes increasingly complex. Eren's choice to unleash the Rumbling represents a grim realization: to achieve a form of freedom, he believes he must impose his will on others, even if it leads to mass destruction. This paradox raises questions about the morality of sacrificing a few for the perceived greater good. Can true freedom be attained through such violence?
Another philosophical theme is the cyclical nature of hatred and violence. Eren's actions can be viewed as a desperate attempt to break this cycle, yet they also serve to perpetuate it. He sees the world divided into oppressors and the oppressed, and in his mind, the only way to ensure the safety of his loved ones is through overwhelming force. This theme forces viewers to confront the harsh realities of revenge and its consequences. Does Eren become the very monster he sought to defeat? The answer isn't black and white, reflecting the complexities of human nature and morality.
Moreover, Eren's evolution raises questions about self-identity and the influence of fate. As he gains access to the memories of past inheritors of the Attack Titan, Eren struggles to determine whether he is a puppet of fate or if he can carve out his own destiny. His choice not to stop the Rumbling can be interpreted as a surrender to the idea that all actions are predestined, an echo of the Titan's tragic history.
In essence, Eren’s actions serve as a reflection of humanity’s darker impulses and the philosophical dilemmas that accompany the quest for freedom. His journey prompts audiences to ponder their own beliefs about morality, freedom, and the cyclical nature of violence in society.
8. Fan Theories and Interpretations
The conclusion of Eren’s story has sparked a myriad of fan theories and interpretations, showcasing the depth of engagement with the series. One popular theory posits that Eren's decision was influenced by the concept of Paths, the metaphysical plane connecting all Eldians. Fans speculate that he sought to break free from the constraints of time and fate, believing that by initiating the Rumbling, he would create a new future free from the Titan curse.
Another intriguing theory revolves around the idea that Eren's actions were ultimately a self-sacrificial act. According to this interpretation, Eren understood that the only way to achieve lasting peace was to become the ultimate villain in the eyes of humanity. By being vilified, he hoped to unite the world against a common enemy, thereby fostering a sense of solidarity among the survivors. This has led to discussions about whether Eren was a hero or a villain, and whether the end can justify the means.
- Hero or Villain? - Eren's choices blur the lines between right and wrong, prompting debates among fans.
- Unity through Adversity - Some believe Eren aimed for a future where people come together to overcome a shared threat.
- Destiny vs. Free Will - Fans are divided on whether Eren was acting out of free will or if he was a pawn of fate.
Additionally, some fans interpret Eren's transformation as a commentary on the nature of trauma and its effects. They argue that his extreme actions are a manifestation of the trauma experienced by Eldians throughout history. This perspective emphasizes the psychological toll of generational conflict, and how it can lead individuals to make drastic choices in pursuit of perceived liberation.
Ultimately, the theories surrounding Eren's decision not to stop the Rumbling are as varied and complex as the characters themselves. These interpretations not only enhance the narrative but also encourage viewers to engage in deeper discussions about morality, freedom, and the human condition. As the fandom continues to analyze and debate Eren’s motivations, it becomes clear that his story will resonate long after the final credits roll.