Landlords are a contentious bunch. Some argue that they’re exercising their rights to the free market, and providing a vital public service. Others argue that they don’t actually have real jobs, and are actually detrimental to our progress as a society.
I’m not here to really argue one way or another - not today, anyway. I’m here to draw attention to Marle - the kindly landlady in Final Fantasy VII Remake. If you’re a landlord, and you’re reading this piece, I’d implore you to be more like this wry, sweet woman. And no, unlike my Barret piece, I won’t be talking about how much of a GILF she is. I have class.
No, what I mainly want to draw attention to is how much solidarity she shares with the working class. She gives shelter to Avalanche members - the frontline fighters in the righteous fight against Shinra. She helps people once the plate falls, and assists in the rebuild efforts. Even at game’s end, Marle is right there, assisting with the rebuild and helping those in need.
This is the kind of woman any property owner should aspire to be. She looks at the injustice in the world and does her part to not be complicit. That isn’t to say that she’s completely devoid of criticism, obviously, but she’s definitely a step in the right direction. Should you own property, and should you rent that property out to people, you should question that practice - is it worthwhile? Are you contributing to societal advancement, or driving the wedge between people further?
Or perhaps, simply, you should ruminate on Marle. Are you living according to her principals, her steadfast belief to uplift righteous protest and to shelter marginalized communities? Or are your morals more aligned with Shinra - profiting off mass gentrification and pillaging of the planet?
It’s a question worth asking.
Marle is an angel, and somebody we should all aspire to be like. But if you share her profession, you should especially take note of her practices and her beliefs. It just might spell the difference between being perceived as an oppressor or a true freedom fighter.
