Simon's love for Jeanette shown through Simone
Simone is a set of side effects that reflect on Simon throughout Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. Simon's love for Jeanette is used to help explain the similarities between Simone and Simon.
Supporting Elements
- Brittany's comment to Simon when they go to rescue Jeanette must be noted. "But Simone is you, he's in there, you just have to find him." He does not cross the log since fear overpowers his concern for Jeanette at that time, but he is indeed disappointed in himself as he walks away.
- Look again at the names: Simon and Simone. Note the similarity. No coincidence exists in the use of Simone or with the names being nearly the same. But, in actuality, they are the same. Simone is the French name to the English name Simon. Therefore, when Simone woke up after the spider bite, he essentially (though indirectly) proclaims he is "Simon".
- Simon's act of bravery for Jeanette as she is pulled back by Zoe mirrors Simone's. Simone shows no fear with Jeanette. After physically seeing her in danger, Simon does not let his fright control him. He refuses to let Jeanette down when she needs him most. Simon displayed fierce determination in saving her just as Simone did. His heroism is an act of true love.
- Simone's comment to Jeanette at the waterfall after giving her the bracelet is critical to consider. "Even the most precious gem cannot compare to your beauty." is almost exactly the same as Simon's comment to Jeanette on the raft (one word difference): "Even the most prefect gem cannot compare to your beauty." If Simone and Simon were not the same, Simon would not have said this. He also has no memory of his complement to her before as Simone since when the side effects wore off, he shows no recollection of dating Jeanette or giving her a bracelet.
- The side effects of the neurotoxin include personality changes, loss of inhibition, and dry mouth.
The Overlooked Side Effect
Below is a fundamental element that might have been overlooked. This aspect must be considered in order to understand Simone, and in turn, Simon.
- Recall that one of the side effects of the spider bite is the loss of inhibition. An inhibition is a force that prevents something from happening and often comes from within yourself. Shy people are often said to suffer from inhibitions. Some inhibitions are good, such as the one that prevents us from choking the life out of people we dislike. (Simon's controlled temper toward Alvin when he causes trouble, though he loses his temper in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.) Other inhibitions, like the ones that prevent someone from ever enjoying or expressing themselves, are not so great (these are usually fear - both from relationships and phobias such as Simon's fear of heights).
- After Simon was bitten by the spider, he experiences two changes that greatly affect his outward expression. The first is his personality (becoming a fun-loving French guy named Simone), but the second is his loss of inhibition. As a result of both changes, he becomes a fun-loving French dude that is unafraid of open romance and common fears. His personality change cannot fully explain Simone's affection for Jeanette though since Simon had already shown multiple hints of affection prior to the spider bite.
- These new thoughts strongly suggest that Simone's love for Jeanette is really Simon's love for Jeanette which, in turn, implies that the two represent one. Simon's inhibitions prevented him from expressing his love to Jeanette the way Simone did. We see on the raft that Simon tries to prove to Jeanette, through his complement, that he loves her as Simone did and that he is not really that different from Simone (breaking through inhibition).
- Simone was used to give an inside view of Simon's true thoughts and feelings towards Jeanette. Simone is in fact deep within Simon, a part of him, and we see "Simone" slowly emerging through Simon's bravery in saving Jeanette and his more steadied complement on the raft (unlike the very nervous comments he makes to Jeanette after the shuffle board joke and while starting the fire).
Concluding Remarks
Hopefully this provides a better understanding of Simone's role in Simon and the Simonette relationship. As Simon begins to suppress his inhibition, he will be able to express his love toward Jeanette with confidence and their relationship will grow stronger.
Video
♥Simon & Jeanette♥ ~ You Spin Me Right Round (HD) Simone is Simon