Before I get into explaining why France is easily one of the
most gripping and enthralling aph characters, I have to point out that the
France I’m discussing is not the France that we saw in the earlier years of
Hetalia (2006-2009/10).

I fully recognize that France’s old characterization was
appalling, offensive, and harmful and condemn it wholeheartedly. On the other
hand, I believe in the potential for creator growth. Said growth is so evidently
seen in how Himaruya has characterized France up to now. Eight plus years of
material is enough to conceptualize a character completely anew.

In fact, the France I admire and hold a deep reverence for
is so vastly different from his previous personality that I consider them to be
separate. Again, I would be dishonest if I weren’t to admit that his old
characterization leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. The reason for this is
because of how beautifully his personality has blossomed in the present. Unfortunately,
he’s most known for his former characterization and isn’t given credit for the deep
life questions that he provokes later in the series.

What this post will explore is how France acts as the go-to
vessel for giving readers insight into the painful consequences of immortality.
Jokes aside, there are moments where France says something so intricate and
profound that it pulls you into his world and gets you to really think.

His outlook on immortality: 

As stated in more detail in previous posts [x], we learn in the “Though
I may depart, you shall remain” strip that the nations exist because of the belief
of their people [x]. The personification is compared to a ship; the gov’t, a mast;
the people, the wind; and the sea, time itself.

Essentially, the metaphor frames how the ship will continue
forward [live] so long as the mast [the gov’t] is strong and functioning and the
wind is blowing [the people still hold a common identity].

The consequence of immortality is revealed in how the
nations continuously push forward without having the privilege of enjoying
intimate relationships with others. It’s because they’re immortal that they
detach themselves from close human relations. This way, they’re able to spare
themselves from the hurt of loving someone, only to watch them grow old and
die. 

My favourite theme of this strip is the contrast between the
human outlook on immortality and the immortal outlook on immortality. One of
France’s citizens grows jealous upon realizing that France gets to live forever
but is later reminded by his wife that to live forever would draw more
suffering than it would benefits. Immortality, while seeming to be ideal and
utopic, produces the misfortunes of isolation and loneliness.

The scene ends with France watching a young family with a
longing gaze. As a country that’s supposed to symbolize love, France is
tantalized by the prospect of bestowing his love [of all kinds] onto others but
knows that if he’s to protect himself, he can never truly do this.

His outlook on life:

The metaphor of time is likewise seen with Jeanne d’Arc.
France encounters an American tourist named Lisa, who we learn is Jeanne’s
reincarnate.

At first, France questions whether God has played a trick on
him.

He then realizes that history has paved a kinder path for Jeanne, albeit
it being in another life. It was of his personal belief that those who have been toyed with by history will be reborn into a better life.

This tongue-in-cheek approach to confronting how
unfair and brutal history can be is best seen in France’s initial skepticism
and mistrust. At the same time, the scene culminates with France placing trust
and faith in fate, recognizing that while he has no control over it, good still
exists in the world.

This is perhaps the most powerful image that Himaruya has
ever created to date. With just one image, he’s captured the throngs of France
surrendering himself and placing trust in the people that will come to define
his history – him [x].

Life produces many wounds and scars, but it’s the brave who embrace
these harmful experiences and integrate them into their understanding of self [x].

Projection and Reflection:

What you’ll see is that how France presents himself – either
by humour or egotistical remarks – is a mask. Of course, this is to be expected
given that he served as the country of philosophical enlightenment in the late
1700s.

In a quick slip of his teasing and lively façade, France
reveals that he believes children should have carefree upbringings. How I read
into this is that France vies to give children the childhood he never had.
After all, wars, self-interest, and politics robbed him of his [x].

Another definitive moment involves him being asked what he’ll
dress up as for Halloween. Never being one to settle for simplicity, France
gives this cryptic answer:

“I’m always disguising myself. The wild beast of the heart
is hidden within this work of art known as me,” [x]. 

Translation: By mastering his looks through good
self-presentation, France has respectively mastered the art of concealing the
bad in his life. Unfortunately, this is to the detriment of not being able to
express and expose his true self to others. Again, notice the theme of
protecting oneself against the hostilities of the external world.

The irony of this is that whereas France is unable to live
his life in a carefree manner and has lost full trust in the world, he
encourages others to live their lives to the fullest; that way, they won’t have
to bear any regrets or emotional burdens [x].

In this sense, France’s life
experiences have forced him to be brave and resilient, the pitfalls being that the
constraints of his immortality have also rendered him fearful and hesitant to
strive for a fulfilling existence.

In sum, you can think what you want about how awful France’s
character was in the past. I’m not denying that and never will. But, to
demarcate his character today is something that I’ll always disagree with.
There are many precious moments that France has offered us. Let’s not negate
them.