My Giant, Insane Theory (of DOOM!!!)

[adarkervision]

Hey all! Sorry I've been gone for a few days, but I've been a) warping... I mean SHAPING young minds with Loot Day non-sense and b) working on the granddaddy of Rule of Rose Plot Synopsis/Theories, which I would like to share with all of you. It will eventually be part of a huge walk through/item guide/FAQ for the game, but we'll take that one step at a time. Regardless, I would like the input of any who would like to give it.

Problem the first: it is too huge to post here. It is fourteen pages in MS Word. This beasty is an entire chronological plot synopsis from the time of the airship crash all the way to the present day in which the game takes place (roughly a decade later), with analysis of all the symbolism and imagery, supported by quotes from the text and dialog in the game. Just about everything I can think of is covered in it, at least as well as my background in Mythology/Anthropology/Literature allows.

Solution the first: I posted it as a stand-alone file on my website. Before I give you the link, however, let me make this clear: I am not doing this to try to generate traffic or interest for my site. Heck, there isn't even very much AT my site yet, as it's only about two months old and I've been busy with a two year old and an infant most of that time. I'm just putting it there so that anyone from THIS site who is interested will be able to read it without me having to e-mail it to everyone individually. I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes or perform some clever marketing ploy. Just click on the link if you want to read my heavily-thought-out take on what I believe Rule of Rose meant. If you don't want to, don't.

That having been said: www.adarkervision.com/Rule_Of_Rose_Theory.html

I hope that at the very least, someone finds it an entertaining read, even if they decide it is nonsense. But I hope even more that it stimulates some interesting conversation. Regardless, enjoy.

-adarkervision

[bucketknight]

I just did a quick skim of your theory and I'll reserve judgement until I sit and read the whole thing through. I've a quick general question out to anyone, why peas? Is there something inherently British or Japanese about using peas in Gregor's poems? I mean, what dog looks for peas?! Are the Brits that lost in their miserable weather that they go crazy looking for peas?

[adarkervision]

bucketknight said:

I just did a quick skim of your theory and I'll reserve judgement until I sit and read the whole thing through. I've a quick general question out to anyone, why peas? Is there something inherently British or Japanese about using peas in Gregor's poems? I mean, what dog looks for peas?! Are the Brits that lost in their miserable weather that they go crazy looking for peas?

I think he really IS a pea farmer, and that he uses peas in his songs because that is the entirety of his world; peas and his son.

[bucketknight]

adarkervision said:

bucketknight said:

I just did a quick skim of your theory and I'll reserve judgement until I sit and read the whole thing through. I've a quick general question out to anyone, why peas? Is there something inherently British or Japanese about using peas in Gregor's poems? I mean, what dog looks for peas?! Are the Brits that lost in their miserable weather that they go crazy looking for peas?

I think he really IS a pea farmer, and that he uses peas in his songs because that is the entirety of his world; peas and his son.

There are pea farmers? In Britain? I thought peas needed to grow in better environments, at least if you're going to do more than gardening.

[Carmichan]

Well, no one ever said Gregors made good money from it...

Anyone who can make sense of this game has my respect. Some of your theories are based on subtle hints at best (then again, EVERYTHING in this game is based on subtle hints), but not outlandish enough for it not to be true. And even then, your theories fill the plot holes better than anything else I've read.

I really like your take on Gregory. I thought he was killing those children (though only because the game gave you no other suitable suspects), but I didn't think he kidnapped them with the intention of instant death.

I always thought it was Eleanor they were talking about in the bathroom of Bird of Happiness...I think it because it would seem like the generic "popular girls" group where they all seem like friends but talk negatively about each other behind the one another's back. I guess Jennifer makes more sense in your theory though.

I really cannot convince myself that Hoffman is a pedophile, no matter how many theories people show me to prove that he is. I don't even like the guy but I just can't convince myself. But you are a much better theorist than I am so I take this in stride. ^_^

...Hmm! Hoffman hanging on the ladder? There's something I haven't heard...but I like it. But your attacking theory makes that boss have a little more sense to it. And your description of the orphanage with no adults made me shiver. >> It's kind of weird Jennifer didn't mention that they had been killed in the January chapter...but then again, maybe she wasn't present when that happened (sick, passed out, tied to something, etc.) and Wendy was trying to give her some twisted form of protection in that sense as well.
"Oh! Yeah, they um....left. Yeah. Did I tell you that I love you?"

She might know they were killed instead of just up and leaving (maybe overheard talking?) but I know I'd still prefer to believe leaving as well after that horrible incident I just went through with confronting my repressed memories.

Also, just a little nitpicky thing: wasn't that Eleanor instead of Susan watching Diana beat Brown to death? I can't theorize the big picture like you can, my friend. I can only remember small, random things so I must point things like this out. Feel free to ignore me, because with this theory, you have every right to call Eleanor "Susan" if you like.

Your imp theory is pure genius. 'Nuff said.

I've been waiting for something like this since I first beat the game. Thank you for delivering. <3

EDIT because I have one question about one of the symbols I don't think was addressed. (Only because I've been curious about it since since I saw it in the trailer.) At the ending cutscene of October, after you see Diana standing on the chair, the scene switches to the Joshua Bear and the Red Rose Doll tied up back-to-back on the small chairs they sit on in every other scene they were in. Any idea what this is trying to say? Joshua and Wendy are both the same person? Jennifer is bound to Wendy whether she likes it or not? Any ideas? This confuses me. @_@

[adarkervision]

Bucketknight, good point, although I'm pretty sure they must grow peas in England; the climate isn't that different from the U.S. (especially Vermont, where I live; as you pointed out, this place might as well be the arctic circle for the miniscule ammount we see the sun we see around here, and we can still grow peas like nobody's business). Although he does say in his journal that he doesn't make much money at it; he wanted to buy more healthy things for "Joshua" to eat and didn't make enough selling peas and carrots to do so.

Carmichan, you very well may be right: that may be Eleanor. I'll go back to that scene and check out the dress more closely tonight and get back to you. As for the symbolism of Joshua and The Princess of the Red Rose being bound together in that scene, that theme runs throughout a lot of the game and could have multiple meanings. As you said, it could be that Joshua and Wendy are one, because Wendy has been both the Princess and Joshua at various points in the game. Secondly it could symbolize the promise that Wendy (The Princess) and Jennifer (once The Prince, at the time she made her binding promise to Wendy) made to each other: "True love... Everlasting... I am yours...". Even in death Wendy is inextricably bound to Jennifer, as what happened between them shaped who Jennifer eventually became, even if she couldn't remember it. This same symbolism is used again at the end of the game for the animation opening the "Once upon a time..." chapter: Wendy and Jennifer tied to chairs side by side. And struggle as she might, she doesn't escape, she just manages to knock her chair over. They are bound together forever.

-adarkervision

[Ralph Goat]

I read the whole thing.

It's a really good theory! It sums up the game nicely. ^_^ I feel that when I read that, that I know every single plot hole has been filled in the story. XD Good job.

[adarkervision]

Glad you liked it Ralph Goat! I know some of it is taking inferences from the tiniest of details, but with a game that refuses to lead you by the hand at all when it comes to the story, you sometimes have to make these intuitive leaps in logic. Still, I think it covers the experience that I, at least, took away from the game.

-adarkervision

[PrincessJennifer]

My plot summary is up on my website, if anyone wants to check it out.

[PrinceJoshua]

Yay! I'll go there later on.