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Ɖmile Durkheim

Satomi Murano

  • Role: Deuteragonist ofParasyte
  • Affiliations: Kunugigaoka High School student, close friends with Yuko Tachikawa and Akiho Suzuki

Ɖmile Durkheim
Born
David Ɖmile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Ɖpinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
Nationality French
Alma mater Ɖcole Normale SupĆ©rieure
Known for Sacredā€“profane dichotomy
Collective consciousness
Social fact
Social integration
Anomie
Collective effervescence
Scientific career
Fields Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies
Institutions University of Paris, University of Bordeaux
Influences Immanuel Kant, RenƩ Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill
Influenced Marcel Mauss,Claude LĆ©vi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien LĆ©vy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gƶkalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1]

Personality and Characteristics

Satomi Murano is Shinichi Izumiā€™s best friend and eventual love interest, representing a constant source of support and emotional grounding for him throughout the series. She is friendly, compassionate, and observant, often acting as a voice of empathy and warmth in contrast to the increasingly cold and detached Shinichi. Satomi’s steadfast personality allows her to maintain strong bonds with friends and remain close to Shinichi, even as his behavior grows erratic.

Despite her affection and growing love for Shinichi, Satomi struggles with the emotional turmoil brought on by his secrecy and mood changes. She is perceptive enough to recognize that something profound has shifted in him, though she lacks an understanding of Migiā€™s presence or the true extent of Shinichiā€™s internal conflict. Her concerns and frustrations regarding Shinichiā€™s behavior manifest as a mix of fear and sadness, especially when she notices his more uncharacteristic, distant side.

A collection of Durkheim's courses on the origins of socialism (1896), edited and published by his nephew, Marcel Mauss, in 1928

Side by side, Satomi Murano and Shinichi Izumi share a quiet moment, their bond reflecting both strength and vulnerability as they face a world changed by unexpected dangers.

Relationship with Shinichi

Satomiā€™s connection with Shinichi evolves from friendship to romance, becoming central to his struggle to retain his humanity. While Shinichi cares deeply for her, he fears that his partial transformation, both physically and emotionally, might endanger her or create an irreparable barrier between them. This fear causes him to distance himself at times, resulting in Satomiā€™s uncertainty and reluctance to fully trust him.

Her lack of knowledge about Migi leads her to misinterpret Shinichi’s behavior, attributing his mood swings to something sinister or hidden within him rather than the actual parasitic influence. Despite these challenges, their relationship becomes an anchor for Shinichi, serving as a reminder of his humanity and his desire to reconnect with those he loves. At one point, during a dangerous situation, Migi may have acted to protect Satomi, subtly revealing his abilities without Shinichiā€™s awareness, suggesting her near encounter with the truth behind Shinichiā€™s condition.

Role in the Story

Satomi represents the ordinary, untainted aspects of life that Shinichi strives to protect, and she functions as a constant reminder of his own humanity. As she navigates the fears and uncertainties surrounding Shinichiā€™s behavior, her presence challenges him to remain connected to the human relationships that define his identity. Satomiā€™s unwavering compassion and love ultimately help Shinichi regain the empathy he fears losing, acting as a critical counterbalance to the influence of Migi.

Relationships

Yuko Tachikawa and Akiho Suzuki

Satomi shares close friendships with Yuko and Akiho, who support her and share her concern for Shinichi. Her friends add a layer of normalcy and warmth to her life, which contrasts with the growing alienation Shinichi feels.

Shinichi Izumi

Satomiā€™s complex relationship with Shinichi is central to her character, driving her to confront her fears and doubts. She provides Shinichi with a reason to resist the cold influence of Migi, embodying the compassion he wishes to hold on to. Shinichi’s reluctance to fully open up often tests her patience and strength, yet her persistence shows the depth of her feelings.

Trivia and Insights

  • Name Meaning: ā€œSatomiā€ (里ē¾Ž) suggests “village beauty” or “home beauty,” symbolizing her role as Shinichiā€™s emotional anchor and link to normalcy and human relationships.
  • Contrast with Migi: Satomi embodies the warmth and empathy that Shinichi risks losing, highlighting the contrast between human emotions and Migiā€™s cold rationality.
  • Symbol of Humanity: Her role as a reminder of love and emotional connection challenges Shinichi to resist becoming fully detached, ultimately symbolizing the resilience of human connections.

Legacy and Impact

Satomiā€™s story, woven into Shinichiā€™s struggle, provides a human perspective within the larger existential themes of Parasyte, emphasizing the importance of emotional bonds and empathy. Her unwavering support, despite the trials she faces, embodies the power of love and resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges, ultimately grounding Shinichiā€™s journey and reminding himā€”and viewersā€”of what it means to be human.