Chapter Theories Part One-"The Little Princess"

[PrincessJennifer]

Since there wasn't room for it in the title, spoilers will be found in this thread.

I came up with this idea in hopes to help us further figure out the story. Let's theorize about what each chapter stands for, like, what real life events and such it symbolizes, etc. This thread is to discuss the first chapter of the game-The Little Princess. It is probably one of the most confusing, as we are never really told how Jennifer gets on that bus or when the dream truly begins. Let's thoerize away!

[PreciousLittleGirl]

I have a great topic for us to discuss first! Is this whole chapter a dream? If not, when does the dream start. And what causes her to enter the dream?

[avidgamer77]

In this chapter, we do get to explore some sections of the orphanage, most rooms are locked, and she doesn't remember anything about the things she interacted with. Her memories are vague at this point.

However twisted it appears, the first chapter serves as an introduction to her retrieval of memories. Starting from Brown's shed where the padlock was unlocked, symbolising the unlocking of her past memories.

I think it's already hinted in the opening intro that Jennifer was sleeping on a bench in the park. She must have slept the whole night. As to what is causing this long nightmare, I'm guessing a stray dog was by her side that provoked her memories.

[PrincessJennifer]

Also, note the rooms that she can enter...the attic...the headmaster's room and reception area...the filth room...rooms she spent a great deal of her time in.

I also the think the dream begins when she "awakens" in the park and sees Brown, her young self, and Wendy. As for what provokes it, a Brown lookalike might, but you'd think she had seen another dog that looked like him in all those years since the incident, so...

[avidgamer77]

At the beginning, when Jennifer ignores Brown's cries and proceeds to the orphanage, notice that his cries become more louder. Definitely a sign of her guilt for ignoring him. Then when she arrives at the gate, she saw Wendy doodling on the ground. But Jennifer has no means of access without the pass. Does this mean she's unable to resolve her past without unlocking it? As in entering the unlocked shed and retrieving the pass in order to discover her past, starting with finding Brown?

As to why Wendy disappeared later, probably because she was the boy (in Joshua's guise) who constantly runs away. Initially, without the means to enter the orphanage, nothing can be resolved, so she's like "stuck" in the spot that Jennifer can vaguely remember. With the pass, Jennifer can move on and gather more clues to her past, starting from the abusing of Brown inside the gate.

[PrincessJennifer]

Why do you think she is sealed up inside the "coffin"?

[avidgamer77]

The coffin where Brown was supposedly found, she had dug it up as if she's trying to redeem herself for being unable to save him, so when she found Brown dead inside a bag (that she had clearly remembered in the past as she had never opened it to see the carcass), she realized it's too late and her guilt had "swallowed" her, literally to being thrown inside the coffin with Brown.

Maybe the coffin represents a means of moving on to further retrieve her memories, starting from the airship. Though everything is still mostly vague.

[PrincessJennifer]

And how all the kids have bags on their faces, maybe this is because she does not remember them clearly at that point? And also because "everyone wears a mask"?

[PreciousLittleGirl]

But was it real up until she wakes up on the airship?

[PrincessJennifer]

I doubt it. She sees those that are already dead, though I guess they could be ghosts. Anyone else care to share their thoughts?

[cellerikun]

You know, now that I think of it, I think it means that Jennifer is dying.

That is, the game intro and the "waking dream" are Jennifer's dying moments; we don't know how she dies (if she does), but it certainly explains the sudden and relatively rapid determination to come to terms with all that's happened to her, and the game ending (though I guess I should save that til a later discussion?)

It kind of explains all the weird, impossible stuff happening to her throughout the game, particularly the opening FMV and the bus sequence.

[PrincessJennifer]

I don't know...If she were dying, I'd like to think they would tell us and show her being reunited with her friends upon death.

[cellerikun]

I'd agree, except the whole game was about what horrible little monsters they all were, even Wendy, though she clearly cared very much for her. Re-examining the opening really makes me think of a dying mind trying to tie up its loose ends before it expires, is all. I don't know if that's consistent with the rest of my opinions about the story, but that's all stuff to talk about in individual chapters, ne?

[PrincessJennifer]

We probably should create a seperate thread in this section, given that topic. I'll go do it now.

[ThePrincessWendy]

The unlocking theory sounds interesting. Perhaps it is possible?