bruuhky

[tacticalfiend]

while obviously not made by the same people lol, I do think Mouthwashing serves as a really great companion piece to Silent Hill 2. The more I think about both of them, the more similarities I see, and the more I see ways in which Mouthwashing really fleshes out the exploration of misogyny Silent Hill 2 has going on. It's a big reason why I'm completely disinterested and unconvinced of the popular fan interpretation of Jimmy being gay in some way. I initially joked about him being the most evil bisexual man ever with friends, but I actually think Jimmy (and Curly) being heterosexual is important to the game. In SH2, James's heterosexuality is important to his character. He loved his wife, he shows concern for Angela, but he also harbors some clear resentment for the sensual marriage he was "robbed" of due to Mary's illness. His love for her did not prevent him from committing an act of violence that was at least in part self serving. Jimmy's obvious obsession with Curly, while not being attracted to him, is kind of The Point in my opinion. He sexually abused Anya, impregnated her, and clearly harbors no guilt over what he's done. On the other hand he is overcome with guilt for what he did to Curly, precisely because he's a man. So many heterosexual men are like this, idolizing and romanticizing the other men in their lives, because men are more worthy of their adoration. They may love their wives (as pets, as property), but they worship men (as gods, as an aspiration), and who doesn't besmirch God in times of strife? Curly, in a way, is no different. He clearly deeply cares for Anya (very likely loves her), but he only treats Jimmy as an equal. Jimmy is outright abusive, but Curly's paternalism and people pleasing served as a lubricant allowing the abuse to happen in the first place. Attraction to women is not mutually exclusive to misogynistic violence. And loving women will never be enough.