Flowey’s Ability to Feel

(undertale spoilers)

Does Flowey being soulless mean he is unable to feel? While this is a very common and widely accepted idea, this is not accurate. An analysis of Flowey from the start of his existence reveals he is full of emotions.

Read our full analysis under the cut.

A Scary New Beginning

FLOWEY:

I remember when I first woke up here, in the garden.

I was so scared.

I couldn’t feel my arms or my legs…

My entire body had turned into a flower!

“Mom! Dad! Somebody help me!” I called out.

But nobody came.

Eventually, the king found me, crying in the garden.

When Flowey first woke up, he acted just as Asriel would have. He was horrified at the loss of his limbs. He was terrified by the awful situation he was alone in. When he called out to his parents who were probably always around to help, nobody came. His fear pushed him to the point of tears.



FLOWEY:

I explained what had happened to him.

Then he held me, Chara.

He held me with tears in his eyes, saying…

“There, there. Everything is going to be alright.”

He was so… Emotional.

But… For some reason…

I didn’t feel anything at all.

I soon realized I didn’t feel ANYTHING about ANYONE.

My compassion had disappeared!



It is commonly quoted that Flowey “didn’t feel anything at all.” However, that is taking his words out of context. In this dialogue, Flowey explains that when Asgore expressed his love and sympathy for him, Flowey did not feel a sense of love and comfort in return. In his own words, Flowey could no longer feel compassion towards others.

FLOWEY:

And believe me, it’s not like I wasn’t trying.

I wasted weeks with that stupid king, vainly hoping I would feel something.

But it became too much for me.

I ran away from home.

Eventually, I reached the RUINS.

Inside I found HER, Chara.

I thought of all people, SHE could make me feel whole again.

…

She failed.

Ha ha…



Despite his hope, patience, and perseverance, Flowey could not feel any love towards his father. “It became too much for me” shows that this compassion blocked state was frustrating and unbearable, a form of emotional pain. He was desperate to find someone else who could make him feel love again. Flowey ran away from home and found Toriel. Unfortunately, the results were the same. She couldn’t make him “feel whole again.” These results put Flowey in a state of despair.

FLOWEY:

I realized those two were useless.

I became despondent.

I just wanted to love someone.

I just wanted to care about someone.



“Despondent” means to be in low spirits from loss of hope. Flowey was feeling depressed and hopeless. Through this, Flowey is able to feel emotions, especially negative ones. What he isn’t able to feel is love.



FLOWEY:

Chara, you might not believe this…

But I decided… It wasn’t worth living anymore.

Not in a world without love.

Not in a world without you.

Despite not being able to love, Flowey is fixated on Chara. He feels so strongly about Chara that he claims that “it wasn’t worth living” in a “world without you.”

FLOWEY:

So…

I decided to follow in your footsteps.

I would erase myself from existence.

And you know what?

I succeeded.

But as I left this mortal coil…

I started to feel apprehensive.

If you don’t have a SOUL, what happens when you…?

Something primal started to burn inside me.

“No,” I thought. “I don’t want to die!”

…

Then I woke up.

Like it was all just a bad dream.

I was back at the garden.

Back at my “save point.”



Tragically, Flowey’s inability to feel “love” for others pushed him to suicide – something completely out of character. This is backed by how he prefaced this revelation with “Chara, you might not believe this.” Flowey couldn’t stand being alive in a “world without love.” However, as he was dying, he felt “apprehensive” – anxious and fearful. He may have died once before, but this time he had no soul. He had absolutely no idea what would happen to him. In his state of panic, he came back thanks to his determination.

Flowey Helped Others First

FLOWEY:

Interested, I decided to experiment.

Again and again, I brought myself to the edge of death.

At any point, I could have let this world continue on without me.

But as long as I was determined to live…

I could go back.

Amazing, isn’t it,

I was amazed, too.

At first, I used my powers for good.

I became “friends” with everyone.

I solved all their problems flawlessly.

Their companionship was amusing…

For a while.



After establishing the limits of his powers by experimenting on himself, the first thing Flowey does is use his powers for good. This is something important to emphasize. Flowey’s morals are still intact, and his first instinct is to help, be kind, and befriend others, despite his own suffering.

FLOWEY:

As time repeated, people proved themselves predictable.

What would this person say if I gave them this?

What would they do if I said this to them?

Once you know the answer, that’s it.

That’s all they are.

Unfortunately, Flowey could only find the other monsters’ companionship “amusing.” Eventually, he grew bored of the monsters. This was a problem because helping others was his first alternative to ending his own life. When that failed to keep him amused, he allowed his curiosity to entertain darker thoughts.

FLOWEY:

It all started because I was curious.

Curious what would happen if I killed them.

“I don’t like this,” I told myself.

“I’m just doing this because I HAVE to know what happens.

Ha ha ha… What an excuse!

You of all people must know how liberating it is to act this way.

His attempts to stave off boredom in his meaningless existence were in vain, however. Even killing became boring. He felt tired.

FLOWEY:

Nowadays, even that’s grown tiring.

You understand, Chara.

I’ve done everything this world has to offer.

I’ve read every book. I’ve burned every book.

I’ve won every game. I’ve lost every game.

I’ve appeased everyone. I’ve killed everyone.

Sets of numbers… Lines of dialogue… I’ve seen them all.

But you… YOU’RE different.

I never could predict YOU, Chara.

[…]

I’m so tired of this, Chara.

I’m tired of all these people.

I’m tired of all these places.

I’m tired of being a flower.



The problem with this feeling is that Flowey has made it clear that his life was meaningless without Chara. Instead of ending his life, he sought ways to keep himself entertained. He helped the monsters. He then killed them. But eventually, all of this has tired him. He is tired of being alive. He had just about reached his limit when Frisk fell into the underground.

Playing with Frisk

Frisk falling into the underground may have been a blessing for Flowey. They were someone new he could play with, even if they may anger him by not running into the bullets. While Flowey first tried to steal Frisk’s soul, he quickly learned that he no longer had access to his save file. By the time Frisk reaches the Ruins’ exit, however, he realized he can have fun with this new development.

FLOWEY:

But what will you do if you meet a relentless killer?

You’ll die and you’ll die and you’ll die.

Until you tire of trying.

What will you do then?

Will you kill out of frustration?

Or will you give up entirely on this world…

…and let ME inherit the power to control it?

I am the prince of this world’s future.

Don’t worry, my little monarch, my plan isn’t regicide.

This is SO much more interesting.

Flowey follows Frisk all over the underground, quietly observing their adventures. But there is one indirect interaction between the two in Waterfall.

FLOWEY:

[Toriel] Where oh where could that child be…?

[Toriel] I’ve been looking all over for them…

[Toriel] …

Hee hee hee.

THAT’S not true.

She’ll find another kid, and instantly forget about you.

You’ll NEVER see her again.

Flowey impersonates Toriel, faking concern for Frisk. What is significant about the last few two lines, is that Flowey may be projecting his own feelings of betrayal from Toriel.

FLOWEY:

…

…?

… why?

… why are you being…

… so nice to me?

I can’t understand.

I can’t understand!

I just can’t understand…

After Photoshop Flowey is defeated at the end of the neutral pacifist route, he feels confused at Frisk’s mercy. He is unable to understand why they would spare him, likely because of his lack of compassion and empathy.

Devotion to Chara

While Flowey found amusement with Frisk, treating them like a plaything, he completely turns his attitude around for Chara.

FLOWEY:

Hahaha…

You’re not really human, are you?

No. You’re empty inside. Just like me. In fact…

You’re Chara, right?

We’re still inseperable, after all these years…

Listen. I have a plan to become all powerful.

Even more powerful than you and your stolen soul.

Let’s destroy everything in this wretched world.

Everyone, everything in these worthless memories…

Let’s turn ‘em all to dust.

He recognizes that Chara is someone “empty,” likely referring to how Chara does not have their own soul. After all, he explicitly mentions “you and your stolen soul.” With Chara’s return, Flowey wants to destroy everything “in these worthless memories.”

FLOWEY:

Chara.

There’s just one thing left I want to do.

Let’s finish what we started.

Let’s free everyone.

Then… let’s let them see what humanity is REALLY like!

That despite it all…

This world is still "kill or be killed!!”

Then…?

Well. I had…

Been entertaining a few ways to use that power.

Hee hee hee…

…

But seeing you here changed my mind.

Chara… I think if you’re around…

Just living in the surface world doesn’t seem so bad.

However, he changes his mind on destroying everything. Instead, he rather be with Chara. He wants to live in the surface world with Chara.

FLOWEY:

Creatures like us…

Wouldn’t hesitate to KILL each other if we got in each other’s way.

So that’s…

So… that’s… Why…

…

…ha… Ha…

…what’s this… … feeling?

Why am I… Shaking?

Hey…

…No hard feelings about back then, right?

H-Hey, what are you doing!?

B… back off!!

I… I’ve changed my mind about all this.

This isn’t a good idea anymore.

Y-you should go back, Chara.

This place is fine the way it is!

…

S-s-stop making that creepy face!

This isn’t funny!

You’ve got a SICK sense of humor!

Flowey makes the mistake of mentioning getting in “each other’s way,” something that Chara presumably hates. Flowey quakes in fear before Chara, explicitly citing “that creepy face” and their “SICK sense of humor!”

FLOWEY:

See? I never betrayed you!

It was all a trick, see?

I was waiting to kill him for you!

After all it’s me your best friend!

I’m helpful, I can be useful to you, Chara.

I promise I won’t get in your way

I can help… I can… I can…

Please don’t kill me.

While he was unable to understand sympathy from Frisk in the neutral route, Flowey begs for mercy from Chara in the end of the genocide route. He is scared and desperate because he knows he messed up, by betraying Chara. Unfortunately, it’s not enough.

His Return as Asriel

ASRIEL:

Frisk…

I haven’t felt like this for a long time.

As a flower, I was soulless.

I lacked the power to love other people.

However, with everyone’s souls inside me…

I not only have my own compassion back…

But I can feel every other monster’s as well.

They all care about each other so much.

And… they care about you too, Frisk.



At the end of the pacifist route, Asriel reiterates that being soulless was the reason why he lacked the power to love others. He never states that being soulless meant he was unable to feel.



FLOWEY:

But now, the idea of resetting everything…

I…

I don’t think I could do it all again.

Not after that.

…

So, please.

Just let them go.

Let Frisk be happy.

Let Frisk live their life.

…

But.

If I can’t change your mind.

If you DO end up erasing everything…

…

You have to erase my memories, too.



Upon restarting the game after the pacifist ending, Flowey appears to beg Chara (or the player) to not reset. Despite having released the souls and becoming Flowey again, he shows something important in this dialogue – he wants Frisk to “be happy.” Even without the souls, he wishes for Frisk’s happiness and their well being. He can’t even imagine resetting and going through everything again.

Can Flowey Care?

SNOWDIN LIBRARY BOOK:

Love, hope, compassion… This is what people say monster SOULs are made of.

But the absolute nature of “SOUL” is unknown.

Monster souls are made up of “love, hope, compassion.” But it never mentions the soul being the source of emotions. This is why a soulless being like Flowey is able to emote and feel. Without a doubt, Flowey has emotions. However, the true question is whether or not he can care for others.

When it comes to Chara, he is devoted and expresses sentiments that appear to be caring. But this isn’t exactly the case.

FLOWEY:

You REALLY think I want to be friends with YOU?

Heh…

You really DON’T get it, do you?

There’s only one person I could care about anymore.

And even then, I couldn’t TRULY care about them.

I just like to think there’s someone out there…

Someone that I won’t get tired of.

Someone like ME.

…

Say.

Quit looking at me with that stupid expression.

You’re pissing me off.

What Flowey looks for in Chara is someone like him and someone he won’t get tired of. This aligns well with his existence as Flowey; he constantly looks for the next source of entertainment.

FLOWEY:

Sets of numbers… Lines of dialogue… I’ve seen them all.

But you… YOU’RE different.

I never could predict YOU, Chara.

Despite not being able to “TRULY care about them,” Flowey latches onto Chara. For better or for worse, Chara is Flowey’s everything since he realized he is unable to feel for others. Even if he cannot feel love like before, he holds Chara in the highest regards.

Conclusion

Flowey is able to feel emotions. He had them since he woke up, and he exhibits them all throughout the game – fear, sadness, anger, and glee. What he lacks is the ability to feel love and compassion due to his soulless existence.

The world had been cruel to Asriel. He had spared the humans on the surface, and in return, he was brought back to life as a soulless flower. His compassion, love, and hope were lost. However, Flowey stayed true to his good morals at the start of his existence and even after he had given up on his own life. He was helpful and kind towards others, even though he lacked compassion. Killing others was not first instinct for a soulless being; it came as a desperate alternative to suicide as he found himself tiring of the others. With the help of the monster souls inside of him and feeling the love the monsters have for Frisk, Flowey is able to remember what it is like to love, even if he may not feel love again on his own.

While many feel it isn’t fair for Flowey to be left behind, it isn’t a completely hopeless ending for him. He is learning to let go of the past, and accept his existence in this new world. Perhaps when the time comes and he feels more confident, he will join Frisk and the others on the surface.

» read more: the flowey collection