It seems to me that this is the overarching theme of *Daria*. The heroine is an honest girl, who is frightened and repelled by the dishonesty and insincerity she sees surrounding her. It is that which alienates her from other people, and which drives her to keep a cynical and sarcastic mask between herself and the outside world.
Honesty is often asked for from others, but we so seldom appreciate the gift when received. We all have our fantasy images of ourselves, usually in the form of socially constructed roles, which we do not appreciate beng shattered by an observation or even question from others.
Status may be hollow, but it is often comforting. We are trapped within our roles because even when they may be harmful, even self-destructive, they are often less painful than contemplating our naked selves and the sum of our choices on their OWN rational merits, rather than seeing them merely as moves in a status game or actions taken of necessity based upon social role.
The life of a follower can be dangerous, the life of a leader lonely. Lonelier still is independence, because the independent of mind cannot validate their choices by reference either to an authority or to the needs of their followers. The independent are often feared, because their behavior is unpredictable. One of the first things any successful totalitarism does, after destroying its direct enemies, is to seek out and destroy the independent, who cannot be counted on to follow the Leader.
To be independent you must be perceptive; you must look beyond the surfaces surrounding you and peer at the underlying realties. Which may not be pleasant ones ... many ugly truths are dressed up in pretty lies, and many cruel and callous things are done for ostensibly kind and caring reasons.
Daria is honest, independent, and perceptive, and she suffers for it. Others fear that she may perceive their hidden secrets, and act upon them, or speak them aloud, or simply *know* what they do not want to be known. Stupid people simply notice that she acts "strangely" ... smart hypocrites know her for what she is, and fear her. A few people know her for what she is, and love her for it.
People like Daria are rare in reality (though I know one or two), and they are precious. Their honesty can be painful at times, but their approval when given is genuine, and worth far more than the adulation of liars or fools. Most societies destroy them, either directly or by driving them mad; in the last couple of centuries our culture has advanced to the point that they are probably more common now than at any previous time in human history.
I appreciate people like this, and think we all should. They're a valuable resource. Let's all protect and conserve them.
Sincerely Yours, Jordan
"All the Universe or Nothingness ... that is the question. Which shall it be?" (H. G. Wells)