The true nature of "Chara" and Frisk (SPOILERS)

[MPO]

I know this is something people have already pieced together, but seeing some confusion and wanting to talk out the whole story in one place prompted me to write this interpretation of the facts.

First of all, we're talking about the first fallen human, whom you meet at the end of a Genocide run. Though the community refers to them as Chara for a few reasons (the game calling it "the true name" and its use in promotional materials), you name this entity when you begin the game. Toby Fox, the creator, was asked on Twitter what players were supposed to name the fallen child, to which he answered that we should name them after ourselves. They had their own life in the game:[undertale.wikia.com] they are long deceased, lacking a soul, was laid to rest in a coffin in the castle, then carried by Toriel to the Ruins for burial under what is now a plot of golden flowers she grooms. However, since we should give them the player's real name, there is still some sort of connection between us. Finally, it's worth noting that Chara takes after the word "characteristics."

This is further complicated by the character Frisk, whom we control and is the eighth fallen human.[undertale.wikia.com] Coincidentally, they fell on the same groomed plot of flowers above Chara! They are described as exceptionally similar to Chara in appearance, even with "similar fashion sense." Both are also depicted as being of ambiguous gender and race, which is key to facilitate them representing the player - but we'll get to that.

Let's quickly review what happens with these two in the Pacifist[undertale.wikia.com] and Genocide[undertale.wikia.com] endings. In Pacifist, we learn that the character we were controlling is named Frisk, despite the player apparently naming them what we had named Chara. In Genocide, we turn out as Chara fully controlling Frisk. But who really is Chara?

We find out in the Genocide endings, in which Chara directly speaks to the player. Remember, we (the player) and Chara have the same name, and they identify as such. In the first Genocide ending, they make the following statements.

Your power awakened me from death. My "human soul." My "determination." They were not mine, but YOURS. At first, I was so confused. ...Why was I brought back to life? ... You. With your guidance. I realized the purpose of my reincarnation. Power. Together, we eradicated the enemy and became strong. ...Every time a [stat] number increases, that feeling... That's me. "[YOUR NAME]."

Regardless of your will at this point, they then permanently destroy the game's world ("SINCE WHEN WERE YOU THE ONE IN CONTROL?"). You will be "together forever" as "partners." Upon a second genocide run, their speech is different:

"[YOUR NAME]." The demon that comes when people call its name. It doesn't matter when. It doesn't matter where. Time after time, I will appear. And, with your help. We will eradicate the enemy and become strong.

However, this time Chara draws a major difference between themselves and the player, which is "a perverted sentimentality" inexplicable to them for reconquering the game.


So, what's the point of all this? The tl;dr is that Chara becomes you, and a part of you is Chara; they represent the player's lust for power. When the player begins the game, Chara (the first fallen human) is reincarnated into your will upon the game's world (i.e. "determination"). As such, they assume your name. The first event is Fritz awaking from their fall on Chara's grave, enabling Chara to control them. You control Chara. Their/your name is displayed in the character statistics. In the Pacifist route, you never express your tendency to seek and display power, allowing Frisk to remain their good-natured self. In the Genocide route, you let your inner Chara run wild, and Frisk is merely their/your in-game vessel. At the end, Chara materializes for a one-on-one with you after you've both won the game. They're not literally a demon; they're that part of you that seeks power in any RPG you play. This is explicitly stated by Chara, and "The demon that comes when people call its name" is a reference to when RPG's let you name your character. Though both Genocide speeches feature the "those stats going up is me!" thing, the second Genocide aftermath speech supports this more general interpretation.

As for them surprisingly finding you different, foreign, and inexplicable after a second Genocide run, I interpret that your lust for power being different from your other sense of sentimentality that motivated you to create and destroy the same thing you just conquered. It wasn't about eradication and becoming strong this time around, but what it identifies as "a perverted sentimentality" - which can either be true or synonymous with your sense of curiosity.

What do you think, and what did I get wrong?

[IAmVensey]

You know, I'm starting to actively look for these "Chara isn't evil" theories, because some part of me just doesn't want to believe that about her... I also posted a theory stating the connection between the player, Frisk, and Chara.

I agree with you. Enough of the story is mysterious enough that people could probably legitimately say that Chara is evil.

However, I just don't agree with that notion because it seems far too simple for a game like Undertale. Additionally, you are right: Flowey DOES call us by the fallen human's name, and indicates that we pose a threat.

This seems to indicate that we "are" Chara, and that Chara is the one influencing Frisk. I also find it important to mention that at the end of a first Genocide run, Chara DOES say:

"Your power awakened me from death.
My "human soul"...
My "determination"...
They were not mine, but YOURS."

This implies even further that it was US. We essentially inserted our own will and being into Chara, and through Chara, controlled Frisk. They also talk about how our actions showed them that the meaning of their reincarnation was for power. They even say they were confused upon awakening!

"Why was I brought back to life?
...
You.
With your guidance.
I realized the purpose of my reincarnation.
Power."

An additionally important piece of dialogue:

"Every time a number increases, that feeling...
That's me.
"<Name>." "

Now, why would the Fallen Human's name be in quotes if that is who they are? Well, if we named the Fallen Human after our own name, as Toby suggests, then the game is essentially making us have a moment of seriously deep reflection. It was always US. It was always the PLAYER who pushed for the ends that we did. We are our own enemy in that regard. At this point, Chara represents that demon that possessed us to do such things in the first place.

Not to mention that in the second Genocide run, Chara's dialogue further distances themselves from us.

"But.
You and I are not the same, are we?
This SOUL resonates with a strange feeling."

This is said after a second Genocide run, and even Chara admits that we are not them anymore. Even they, without a soul, can determine how perverted we really are. They even suggest that we should try another route! Another route that "would be better suited."

Why else would they distance themselves from us when we acted horribly and not when we received a True Pacifist ending? Why is it that we are only called by the Fallen Human's name in the True Pacifist ending?

I believe that it is because Chara is content. The plan finally worked. The monsters finally went free. And they have Frisk to help and advocate for them. Chara's plan was finally realized, through us and our good actions. What reason would Chara have to stick around any longer than that after finding that peace?

We control the story in True Pacifist. We are in control the whole time. Why would Chara take control from us in Genocide, then? To show us. To teach us. To ignite a fear inside us, the player, to realize that if we let such things consume us, we WILL lose our control and our agency.

So I definitely appreciate this theory, and your thoughts on it.

[Chara the Explorer]

(Reviving this thread because I've been searching for something like this, deal with it)

I've always loved entertaining the theory that Chara is secretly the avatar the player sends out into every game they play, even though s/he's given a specific character, simply because of that line of dialogue where Chara refers to itself as "the demon that comes when it's name is called". I do appreciate the theory about him representing the player's lust for power though: anything to validate that creepypasta ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ that Chara is a part of you.