#callum crown brainrot after replaying the Dialtown web quiz

[phoneheadedtrans]

I really love how Doggo presents the story of Crown throughout Dialtown. The disjointed narrative enhances the story so much, and it's fundamentally rooted in the relationships/perspective of Gingi. Phonegingi is a being of multitudes. They are you, a way for the player to interact with Dialtown. A seemingly (?) illiterate creature who is unable/largely unwilling and uninterested in learning more about the past. Someone who's only outlets are those around them. Yet, this could all be an act. It's especially apparent from Chapter 3 that Gingi knows more than they let on (advertently or inadvertently). They appear to be aware of the weird timeline of Dialtown's universe and perhaps even of the universe itself. This serves two purposes, one practical and one narrative. The player can't just go rogue and find out Crown's backstory for themself because it would be counterintuitive to the story of Dialtown. But, discussing Crown's character and past this way humanizes him and allows us to better know him through understanding his image.

Crown is a ghost in Dialtown, existing without the ability to influence the world (?). Others can speak of him, but not with him. These varied perspectives offer insight to his character without actually revealing anything about Crown the man. Gabby seems to view him through a layer of nostalgia, connecting his life to that she once lived. Norm adores Crown as a result of his patriotism and populism, displaying respect and adoration for the popular image of Crown rather than for Crown himself. Mingus is desperately clinging to an idol, looking to her grandfather to find fulfillment. No one knows much about Crown, especially anything actually personal to him. Everyone in town knows a different person, a Crown that exists only through the lens of their own experiences and opinions. This is what makes the disparate telling of his story work so well. Crown is a disassociation, an idea, to everyone except for Phonegingi.