Why Were the People of Paradis Ignorant of Marley?

In the world of Attack on Titan, the people of Paradis Island lived in a state of isolation and ignorance, largely due to carefully orchestrated policies and manipulation by the Marleyan government. This article delves into the reasons behind their lack of knowledge about Marley, the manipulation of history, and the mechanisms put in place to maintain this ignorance.

Isolationist Policies

Following the Great Titan War, the Eldians, particularly those residing within the Walls of Paradis, were kept in isolation from the outside world. The Marleyan government played a significant role in this through the use of propaganda. They portrayed the outside world as dangerous and full of monstrous beings, referring to them as 'devils.' This narrative was reinforced to ensure that the people of Paradis remained complacent and uninterested in any knowledge of the outside world.

Historical Manipulation

The history taught in Paradis was heavily manipulated to reinforce the government's narrative. The people were indoctrinated to believe that they were the last remnants of humanity, with the outside world consisting merely of Titans and other fearsome creatures. This served to maintain their compliance and discourage any thoughts of rebellion or escape.

The Walls

The Walls, constructed using the power of the Founding Titan, served as both a physical and psychological barrier. These walls protected the Eldians from external threats, but they also reinforced the idea that the outside world was uninhabitable and unworthy of knowledge. The belief that there was nothing beyond the Walls worth knowing kept the residents focused on their immediate survival rather than questioning their isolation.

Fear of Titans

The constant threat of Titans within the Walls kept the people of Paradis preoccupied with their immediate survival. The fear and trauma associated with Titan attacks left little mental space for curiosity about the outside world. The knowledge of Titans was deeply ingrained in their society, with every citizen through generations being trained to prepare for and fight against these creatures.

Lack of Communication

Another factor contributing to the people's ignorance was the lack of communication and travel between Paradis and Marley. There were no means of direct contact with the outside world, ensuring that the people of Paradis remained completely isolated and unaware of Marleyan affairs.

The combination of these factors, including propaganda, historial manipulation, the physical barriers provided by the Walls, the fear of Titans, and the lack of communication, fostered a deep ignorance about Marley and the realities of the world beyond the Walls. It wasn't until characters such as Eren Yeager and others began to uncover and confront these truths that the people of Paradis began to gain a more accurate understanding of their world outside the Walls.