This was an interesting theory a friend and I were talking about recently after rewatching Avatar and Legend of Korra. It was repeatedly stated in Last Airbender and LOK that air is the element of freedom. To be an Air Nomad was to detach oneself from worldly problems and concerns and to seek peace, enlightenment, and overall freedom.
Korra had known that she was that Avatar since she was four and had been in training up until we see her meet Tenzin, when she's 17. As her uncle pointed out, all the Avatars before Korra traveled the world in order to train in each element, while Korra was kept secluded in the South Pole by the White Lotus (we later find out this decision was made due to Zaheer and gang (the Zagang) trying to kidnap her at a young age).
My friend's theory was that the reason Korra had so much trouble with airbending was not just her lack of spirituality and inflexible nature, but the fact that Korra never really had freedom. She was never able to be imaginative or creative or see really any of the world outside of her homeland. In fact, the only way Korra was ever able to express herself was through the physical side of bending, which she excelled at with earth, water, and fire.
And as many fans have pointed out, unlike Aang, who never wanted to be the Avatar, Korra defined herself almost solely as the Avatar in the beginning. Unlike the other Avatars like Roku who were told they were the Avatar after they turned 16 (and Aang, who was told when he was 12 due to the upcoming war), Korra found out when she was 4, so far more of her personal identity is invested in just being "The Avatar". Unlike Aang, who got to be an Air Nomad and a kid first and Roku, who got to be a fire nation citizen and Sozin's friend first, Korra was just "The Avatar". In a way, Korra is trapped in her identity as the Avatar, both in the physical world, where she was shut away from everyone else, and in her own mind.
Then comes the moments after Amon has taken Korra's bending away. She cannot be the Avatar if she cannot bend all four elements and at least being able to bend three of them was proof that she was the Avatar. Without them, she's not. Without her bending, Korra cannot be the Avatar. In a matter of thinking about it, in those moments, Korra is free from being the Avatar, which does slightly fit with both series's views on freedom. Like with Aang being told to let go of Katara or Zaheer letting go of P'Li, there are some things you'd rather not be free of. In this case, Korra is free of the one thing that really defines who she is.
So, my friend's theory continues on that with Korra now free of being the Avatar and it no longer being her earthly tether, but in her desperation to still do something to save herself and Mako from Amon, she is finally able to bring herself to airbend, free of anything holding her back or that she could rely on instead.
What are your opinions of this theory? Does it make sense? Can it be built on or does it contradict the series' current lore?
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