Document-based Time-line: After Jennifer Arrived at the Orphanage
Posted by PokerNemesis in CluesThis is an arrangement of dated documents, of the Rule of Rose game, as a time-line extending from just after Jennifer’s arrival at the orphanage to immediately after the orphanage massacre.
This is the time period from 20 March 1930 to 20 December 1930.
This is a follow-up to Document-based Time-line: Before Jennifer Arrived at the Orphanage
Four of the documents presented in this time-line, by the way, are ones overlooked in the GameSpot/GameFAQs game-script faq. I marked those documents with ###.
I also included two of Jennifer’s memories that relate to precise dates.
The last of Amanda’s diary entries have no dates. They consist of one written passage and numerous drawings. I included the diary passage, and a summary description of the drawings, out of sequence at the end of this post for completeness. These should date to no earlier than 19 October 1930.
I also left two dated headlines, attributed to the Daily Flamingo newspaper, out of the sequence: I don’t think that these share the reliability of the other documents. But I have included them at the very end of the post, for completeness.
If I have made any errors, or have left out a document that should be here, please let me know in the “comments”.
TIME-LINE:
~~~
Sunday, March 20
Things are going wonderfully!
Today they called me out to the backyard.
As long as that girl is here, I won’t ever be last.
What a relief!
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
20 March
From J to W
Wendy,
I’m here now, but I’m kind of afraid.
Everything is new to me.
I’m worried if I’ll get along with everyone.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
25 March
From W to J
My Dear Jennifer,
There is nothing to fear.
I am always by your side.
I will never betray you.
We made an oath remember?
(Filth Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on shelf)
~~~
Sunday, April 4
Maybe there really is something wrong with me.
What have I done wrong?
I tattled on Mr. Hoffman as they told me to do, but I failed again.
I’m still lower class, even after that girl came.
I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
###7 April 1930
Every day, that child gives me a headache.
Shirking her duties, doodling on walls, making Olivia cry, etc, etc.
What a wretched child!
(
~~~
###12 April 1930
Today, I gave that child a good scolding.
When I found out she let the rabbit escape, that was the last straw.
As I took out my pointer to punish her, she started quibbling again…
…However, she’s still young.
She gave in and apologized, so I let it go at that.
I’m such a kind, understanding teacher.”
(
~~~
Sunday, April 18
I’m as happy as can be today!
They showed me the symbol of the Aristocrats.
If I can get the red crayon, I, too, will be one of them!
But that girl will NEVER get a crayon.
She’s far too uncouth.
In any case, I’ll never be last again. I’m sure of it.
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
Sunday, June 1
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Those awful things got into my mouth!
She’ll be sorry the next chance I get.
But why me again?
What have I done?
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
22 July
From J to W
Dear Wendy,
I have great news. I found something wonderful!
I look forward to every morning now, and hope you will too.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
25 July
From W to J
My dear Jennifer,
I am so relieved that you are well again!
Is that why I couldn’t find you yesterday morning?
It’s no use trying to fool me!
I can see right through your pranks.
Anyway, thanks in advance.
Tee hee hee.
(Filth Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on shelf)
~~~
Sunday, July 27
I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER
I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER
Oh, my! I’ve got to sew the rags…
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
13 August
From J to W
How are you, Wendy?
You haven’t said anything to me since I showed you the surprise…
Do you like my cute little puppy Brown?
Let’s take care of him together.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
16 August 1930
Today, I was busy catching up on my work, when Clara came by to offer me a hand.
I guess my teaching paid off.
I was grateful for her kindness.
In the wee hours of the morning, she was still working, so I gently took her to bed.
I can hardly believe it. My little Clara, bless her heart, is already 16 years old.
She tells me she wants to stay at the orphanage and help with the daily chores.
Maybe I should seriously consider the offer.
Tomorrow, I’ll discuss it with Martha.”
(Headmaster’s Room, Hoffman’s diary, “Once Upon a Time”)
~~~
20 August
From J to W
My dear Wendy,
This little guy is just so adorable.
When I call his name, he comes bounding to me.
I know you’ll like him too.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
24 August
From W to J
Jennifer,
Thank you for introducing me to Brown.
…But, such a filthy dog is not a good match for you and me.
Just give it to Nicholas or something, and let’s just be content with the two of us.
(Filth Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on shelf)
~~~
24 August 1930
This is inexcusable!
My precious koi is gone.
The children must be responsible.
I won’t stand for this.
Where is Diana?
What’s she been up to?
My opinion of her will suffer because of this.
(Headmaster’s Room, Hoffman’s diary, “Once Upon a Time”)
~~~
Sunday, August 31
I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER
I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER
Oh, my! I’ve got to sew the rags…
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
10 September
From W to J
My stubborn Jennifer,
Is Brown that important to you?
It’s just a dog. A filthy animal.
Please stop sharing your wonderful smile with that thing…
Please smile only at me.
(Filth Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on shelf)
~~~
24 September
From J to W
How are you doing, Wendy?
Are you alright?
We’ll always be friends, and Brown can be our friend too.
I know you don’t understand, but I can’t just abandon him.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
Sunday, September 28
I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER
I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER
Oh, my! I’ve got to sew the rags…
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
1 October
From W to J
Jennifer the Heartless,
Why didn’t you come?
I waited and waited for you.
Why can’t I see you every morning?
I think only of you…
Are you avoiding me?
(Filth Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on shelf)
~~~
Sunday, October 5
After all that time I spent sewing it!
Basil, Fanny, George, Hector, Ida, Leo, Paul!
Why must they always bother me so?
Oh, woe is me!
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
6 October
From J to W
You’ve got it all wrong, Wendy.
This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
I never expected you to react this way.
All I wanted is for us to live happily ever after together.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
Sunday, October 12
Oh, why can’t they all just go to hell!
Basil, have a nap on the railroad tracks!
Fanny, take a dive off the roof!
George, I’ll hang you upside down!
Hector, get run over by a carriage!
Ida, I have some fancy poison jam for you!
Leo, walk across an open manhole!
Paul, get smothered by a great rug!
And lastly, that girl!
The Aristocrats will have their way with her!
Oh, how very delightful life is!
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
Sunday, October 19
That wretched girl will do my dirty work.
I’ll work her to the bone!
Oh, I feel wonderful today!
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
~~~
20 October 1930
Re: Mr. Gregory Wilson
Dear Ma’am,
Please forgive the delay in our response.
In your letter, you report suspicious activity on the partof Mr. Gregory Wilson.
After investigating the matter, we have come to the following conclusion.
There is little to indicate that the said individual is connected to the recent kidnappings.
Mr. Wilson is father to a son who closely matches your description in your letter.
Therefore, we have determined that there is insufficient evidence to warrant further investigation.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter.
Anthony Doolittle
Cardington Police
~~~
31 October (corrected date, see this post for details)
From W to J
My dear Prince,
Yes, you are my Prince.
A Prince and a Princess must be together, after all, Jennifer, you are my eternal companion.
Just promise to stay by my side, and save your smiles for me.
That’s all I ask.
We don’t need a filthy dog!
We can’t let anyone come between us.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
(Memory that can be dated to October 31)
“On Halloween, we all dressed up in costumes…
Everyone else wore bags over their heads, and stared at me through tiny holes…
Their blank faces and muffled voices…
It scared me like you wouldn’t believe…
‘Is it really you under there?’ I asked, fearing it was something else.
But, no one would answer me.”
(Closet Room, “Once Upon a Time”, memory at the clothes hangers)
~~~
###November 1930
The children are spreading rumors about a killer named “Stray Dog.”
They say, “He comes at dusk under the cover of darkness and devours the children he kidnaps.”
Disturbingly the rumors seem to be motivated by the recent disappearances that have the public in a panic.
However, I find that the rumors I use to get the children to do their cleaning are working splendidly.
The orphanage is spotless.
I’m such a clever teacher.
(Headmaster’s Room, Hoffman’s diary, “The Funeral”)
~~~
11 November 1930
I’m leaving the orphanage.
Clara’s here to look after things, and the children are quickly growing up.
I’ve done right and fulfilled my duty.
…Bloody hell!
All the trouble started when that wretched child arrived…
I’ve done nothing to deserve this!”
(Headmaster’s Room, Hoffman’s diary, “Once Upon a Time”)
…That’s the end of the diary. We never saw Mr. Hoffman again.
~~~
24 November
Officer Doolittle,
My name is Martha Carol, and I work at the Rose Garden Orphanage.
In the past month, I have sent six letters to your attention, but have yet to receive a response.
Have my letters reached you?
I ask that you please investigate this matter at once for the safety of our children.
Yesterday, I saw them together again… Mr. Wilson and Wendy, a child at our orphanage.
I am very concerned for her safety.
The two of them have been acting quite strangely.
Oh, it’s terribly odd.
By strangely, I mean… Mr. Wilson walking on all fours and nodding… and Wendy appears to be scolding him…
I don’t know how to explain it except that it resembles dog training gone wrong.
Ooo… it gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
Please come investigate this matter as
~~~
28 November
From W to J
You still have that filthy dog?
I’ll never forgive you.
Have you forgotten your oath, the rule of rose?
Good-bye, Jennifer.
You will regret choosing that dog over me.
(Sick Room, “Once Upon a Time”, letter on nightstand)
~~~
###20 December 1930
A tragic multiple homicide has occurred at an orphanage in Cardington resulting in the deaths of all the children housed there.
Among the dead was one adult, Gregory M. Wilson, a local resident.
Analysis of the crime scene suggests that
Police have identified him as their prime suspect in the murders of the children.
(Smoking Room, Sir Peter chapter, Goat Sisters chapter, newspaper)
~~~
Front gate:
–At the orphanage sign to the left of the gate:
“The Rose Garden Orphanage…
That day, I was escorted from the scene by Officer Doolittle.
At first, it was reported that there were no survivors…
Then, word got out that, miraculously, I had escaped the tragedy…
When rumor spread that I was also the sole survivor of a horrific airship accident in which the passengers were all presumed to be dead,
the media went into a frenzy.
And so, the tragic murder of the residents of a rural orphanage was instantly bumped from the front cover of the daily newspaper to an obscure corner…
I’m sorry everyone.
You don’t deserve to be forgotten…
But I’ll remember you.
Thank you all for the precious memories.”
~~~
END OF TIME-LINE
~~~
~~~
(Amanda’s diary, undated last written entry, the entry preceding it was dated 19 October):
I’m so worried…
I just don’t know what’s going to happen…
(Working Class Luggage, “Rag Princess Sews”, Amanda’s Diary)
Drawings by Amanda, apparently of herself, follow this entry. In these drawings more and more stars surround Amanda and she is smiling, then she sprouts wings and flies up, at first happy, but then she apparently crashes. The subsequent drawings consist of scribbles that are hard to interpret: the last scribble might be Amanda dead and buried, but that is a speculative interpretation by me.
~~~
~~~
~~~
July 21, 1930
Daily Flamingo
Husband “Borrows” 60 Pounds From Wife’s 365-Pound Bank Account.
(Room 26, “Bird of Happiness”)
~~~
(July 21, 1930)
Daily Flamingo
Husband Swipes 60 Pounds From Wife’s 365-Pound Bank Account.
(when you read the above article from your inventory)
~~~
July 1930
Daily Flamingo
Husband Borrows Yet Another 30 Pounds From Wife’s Bank Account
(Room 9–Clara’s Cabin, “Bird of Happiness”)
Entries (RSS)
Brainstorm which just hit me: see the patterns:
1-Amanda
2-Basil
3-Clara
4-Diana
5-Eleanor
6-Fanny
7-George
8-Hector
9-Ida
10-Jennifer
11-?
12-Leo
13-Meg
14-Nicholas
15-Olivia
16-Paul
17-?
18-?
19-Susan
20-Thomas
21-?
22-?
23-Wendy
24-Xavier
25-?
26-?
Not one kid had a name which begins with someone else’s name’s first letter (including the names in Amanda’s diary). I tried to find other characters to fit in with this “alphabet” of sorts, but some of them are repeated, like, say, George/Gregory, Martha/Meg or Brown/Basil. Still, does that help at all? The pattern is highly disturbing to me, although I can’t point out why.
Great observation, Oghma! I missed that.
I don’t know what it means but I do think it is a genuine pattern.
Now, I also see that in both of the diary entries in which Amanda mentions the unfamiliar names, she mentions each of those names in alphabetical order.
After all that time I spent sewing it!
Basil, Fanny, George, Hector, Ida, Leo, Paul!
Why must they always bother me so?
Oh, woe is me!
Basil, have a nap on the railroad tracks!
Fanny, take a dive off the roof!
George, I’ll hang you upside down!
Hector, get run over by a carriage!
Ida, I have some fancy poison jam for you!
Leo, walk across an open manhole!
Paul, get smothered by a great rug!
From my notes on the arrangement of cabins in the “1st Passenger Corridor” area, it seems that they are arranged alphabetically too: Victor’s cabin next to Wendy’s cabin, etc.
Note (12/3/07): Victor was a misreading on my part, it must be Hector (I find those name tags hard to read).
There’s a Victor, too? Then maybe there are others for the rest of the letters. I’m in a bit of a hurry, so it’s going to be only sketchy, but here are some ideas I’ve had:
Speculation 1: Those are kids who were at one time in the orphanage and knew Amanda.
Arguments against: Amanda doesn’t speak of them like they are real people, unless she’s a total misanthrope and hates literally everyone. Also, I don’t really remember, but I think the picture of the kids that Jen took doesn’t have that many people. Can anyone check the pic and see how many people there are there? Maybe there actually are more than those we knew in the game.
Arguments for: apparently, three kids were kidnapped by Stray Dog, so they should have been mentioned by the other kids; even more, they should have appeared in the picture. All depends on it, it seems.
Speculation 2: It is some kind of code.
Arguments for: read above. Amanda only uses some letters and mentions them like they are not real people, but rather just a way of expressing anger (I think, at least). It could be, say, “Big Fucking Girl Humping Lots People” or something as offensive as that, but that’s really just a stupid example I just took off my head.
Arguments against: ANYTHING could be code anywhere, so it’s kind of redundant to say that without more evidence.
Speculation 3 (more likely): It’s some kind of mnemonic device for learning something (say, reading).
Arguments for: nearly every letter has a person to it, and there are very few repetitions. Also, they were, after all, kids, and kids are usually taught with this kind of device. I clearly remember learning to read by calling i “Igor” and e “Elephant”.
Arguments against: can’t really see any.
Ogmha asked:
—There’s a Victor, too?—
No, I think I misread the name tag. It must be Hector.
I just added an alternate version of the July 21 Daily Flamingo headline.
It seems that when you read the headline subtitle in the game it is slightly different than when you call up the document from your inventory and read it. In the inventory the word “‘borrowed’” changes to “swiped”.
Is it me or does Amanda slowly regress into near insanity….especailly with the journal?
When Amanda said -Those awful things got into my mouth!- it reminded me of when Jeniffer woke up with red crayons in her mouth, tied to a pole. She was supposed to become an aristocrat and i think the other members were telling Amanda she was about to be initiated. It sounds like they were both tricked with something close to the same method. Put then again Amanda never mentions being tied to a pole and drawn on. Maybe they put her in the onion bag and bugs got into her mouth. xP
BrownEyes wrote:
–When Amanda said -Those awful things got into my mouth!- it reminded me of when Jeniffer woke up with red crayons in her mouth, tied to a pole. She was supposed to become an aristocrat and i think the other members were telling Amanda she was about to be initiated… Maybe they put her in the onion bag and bugs got into her mouth.—
I think that Amanda is probably referring to the scene where we see Jennifer thrusting into to Amanda’s face the dead rat tied onto a stick. The dead rat had maggots on it and I think that the maggots were the “awful things” that got into her mouth.
makes sense. Disgusting though.
i found an little hole..
following this chronology it seems that al the “peter stuff” happened in april…
jen said, in the last chapter
“Peter the rabbit… He was the pet that Wendy suddenly decided to take care of. It was the same time I started looking after Brown… I wonder if Wendy really loved Peter… Was she sad when she had to give him up?”
but jen found brown only in july…
so, how can wendy start to care of peter in july, if the rabbit was already escaped (probably died) moth ago?
Another great observation! Keep up the good work, xelakajoji!
Actually, I think it helps out another theory of mine that was having trouble with the death of Peter so early in the year. If Peter survived until later in the year, it might make for a better fit.
It might be that the dream-plot mixes together events that actually occurred separately, and in a different order, in Jennifer’s forgotten past. In other words, Peter might have been recovered after his escape, then became Wendy’s pet after that, and then was sacrificed much later.
This might turn into a blog-post topic after I think about it more. Thanks!
Those events she mixed together seem to relate to one another.
Example:
The Peter issue.
Brown was found in July and this is the time Wendy took interest in Peter. (possibly later in July, but reguardless) Isn’t it interesting that this is the month chosen to discuss Eleanor’s “pet”? (I still hold her red bird is actually a red crayon, but the dream equaling these things to be related wouldn’t be hard, would it? Three girls, three pets. All of them using their pets as company in lonely times. Subconciously, Jennifer might be putting all three relationships together to make this month what it is in her dream.)
I have another question I just thought of.
###7 April 1930
Every day, that child gives me a headache.
Shirking her duties, doodling on walls, making Olivia cry, etc, etc.
What a wretched child!
(Sick Bay—after boss battle, Sir Peter chapter, Hoffman’s diary)
~~~
###12 April 1930
Today, I gave that child a good scolding.
When I found out she let the rabbit escape, that was the last straw.
As I took out my pointer to punish her, she started quibbling again…
…However, she’s still young.
She gave in and apologized, so I let it go at that.
I’m such a kind, understanding teacher.”
(Sick Bay—after boss battle, Sir Peter chapter, Hoffman’s diary)
What if the girl he’s talking about isn’t Diana at all?
I was thinking… Diana did her best to please Hoffman… “Shirking her duties?” That doesn’t seem like she was trying… “Making Olivia cry?” Olivia cries whenever adults are around to see, right? “She gave in and apologized.” Diana never apologized.
Could this have actually been Wendy? Letting the rabbit out of its cage… this might have given her the idea later as to how to punish Jennifer for playing with Brown. It could be this was part of a plan to offer sacrifice to Stray Dog but she was caught in the act and had to cry to get out of it, temporarily abandoned her mission to kill Peter, then picked it up again to get sympathy from Jennifer.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard it suggested “that child” was Diana.
The general assumption is “that child” was Jennifer, but Wendy has been suggested as well.
Huh… I’d heard most people (who’ve ever discussed this) say they thought it was Diana. My first assumption on reading it was Jennifer, but now I’m leaning towards Wendy.
Hoffman and his stupid pronouns…
I think is Wendy….. see this
…Bloody hell!
All the trouble started when that wretched child arrived…
I’ve done nothing to deserve this!”
Wendy and the Stray Dog story messed up things… I think
It’s tough, the “Unlucky Girl” seems to be a theme and at first I thought it was Jennifer, this still holds some logic, but there are also things to support the other two.
In “Once Upon a Time” I believe Jennifer made a comment about not knowing what happened to the rabbit. Which would indicate she did not let it out of the cage.
“Sir Peter” is about catching said rabbit, this would seem to indicate Diana or Wendy wants the rabbit found. Now losing for a moment here any sense of logic, Sir Peter was used as a sacrifice to Stray Dog at the end of this chapter. Who would want this? Diana because it is her role as leader to do what is best for her Aristocrats, or Wendy in a spiteful act?
I think the most logical conclusion is that Wendy, who based on her social position within the actual orphanage, only playing the role of Red Rose Princess because Diana consents to it, Diana is still “The Proud Leader” in her little social order. I think in this case it was Wendy, probably in an act of spiteful mischief who let out Sir Peter. Further Wendy is the ‘other’ scapegoat of the orphanage. Diana, realizing the trouble the rabbit will cause declares “Emergency! Sir Peter has ran away. Catch him! Catch him!”.
So yeah, the other scapegoat, the subtler misguided antagonist and the least likely to be ordering Sir Peter’s return, and the one who created Stray Dog. I think Wendy’s the most logical answer.
Question for you all, I beat the game, but I only did so once, and for the sake of my sanity I need to discipline myself to leave it alone for several months (difficult though it may be), but even though I beat the game I feel like I don’t want any spoilers, since there was much that I missed.
So the question is, is there any way to recover the end of Meg’s Notebook?
And please don’t spoil what’s in it, but a yes or a know and a how would be appreciated.
I don’t believe there is. I believe it’s part of Jennifer’s closure that she remembers for herself “The Land of the Imps” and the truthe behind them. (Hence the dressing room/closet room scene)
Sorry to dig up an old argument, but I think the child Hoffman is talking about is Jennifer, but Jennifer didn’t necessarily do all the things described (such as releasing Peter). Amanda did say before Hoffman’s entry that she have been “tattling” on Jennifer by the order of the aristocrat, so scapegoat or not Hoffman would naturally believe Jennifer to be a bad child.
Also, a big argument against Diana being the child is how Hoffman mentioned that the koi disappearance theory will make “My opinion of her will suffer because of this”, and thus means Hoffman held Diana in high regards (this fact also seen on the order Hoffman announces the children’s name on the announcements, Diana being the first and thus his favorite).
And I also don’t think the child he is talking about is Wendy, as the child that have arrived to mess things up for Hoffman is most likely Jennifer (seeing as Jennifer was the only one (presumably) who have arrived to the orphanage around the time of the plot), and as Wendy is the “Princess” (even if Diana seems to hold majority of the power), I doubt the aristocrats will use her as a scapegoat even if Wendy did do all these things.
Welcome, Capt. Melona!
The points you make are excellent ones.
Gee, it feels strange to be back here doing this again.
I still believe that Wendy is the “wretched child” to which Hoffman refers. Had Jennifer been the despised child that we suppose, she wouldn’t have been as warmly welcomed as she was. The fact that during “Once Upon a Time” we hear Hoffman calling Jennifer in a voice that can only be described as warm and kind seems to indicate that Hoffman, at least at some point, was regarded highly by him. We also need to remember that Jennifer herself seems to have liked Hoffman at some point as she indicates that “he was a kind and admirable teacher back then”.
I don’t believe that Diana was ever considered wretched by Hoffman given the fact that when he calls their names during “The Funeral” hers was at the beginning of the list. Obviously, Hoffman holds her in high regard.
If I remember correctly, Wendy is not called during the “Funeral, Jennifer indicates that they were named in order of Hoffman’s preference for them. True, Jennifer is not called, but neither is Wendy. A point I made earlier is the fact that we really don’t know when the RCA came about, therefore we don’t know when the trouble started. But we also don’t know when Wendy arrived.
It is very plausible that Wendy, upon arriving found the weak spirited orphans looking for a leader and so filled that void. She is a person of questionable sanity who managed to sway the others to her thinking, you know like the playground bully that only maintains friends through intimidation. Her stories of Stray Dog were all the intimidation that she needed to keep them in line. She chose her aristocracy according to the abilities of the orphans and placed them in a pecking order accordingly.
All went well until Jennifer arrived and Wendy decided that she would make an excellent “prince” for some reason. But Jennifer found Brown and threw everything into a tailspin. Enraged, Wendy turned on Jennifer and demanded that she sacrifice something that she loved to prove her loyalty. It was let Brown die or face death herself. Self-preservation kicked in and Brown died. Jennifer finally saw the error of her ways and the truth behind the RCA and rebelled, displacing Wendy in a show of force that intimidated the rest of the group. She became the new “princess” until Wendy’s retaliation with Stray Dog.
Now that the brief summary is over, I highly doubt that the RCA would have used Wendy as a scapegoat given that she was an established leader. we all know from childhood experience that the new person has to prove themselves in every situation and is the easiet to blame for something gone wrong. Although we do have to remember that after she was deposed as princess the RCA turned on her and probably would have used her as a scapegoat since she no longer held power..
Jennifer messed things up for Hoffman? I would think that the undercurrent produced by the RCA would have doen far more damage than one new girl could have. She indicates at the fireplace and potted plants during OUAT that she sometimes got scolded by Martha and Hoffman, but does a scolding for wrong doing throw an orphanage into as much turmoil as a power struggle between the Head Master and a society of children intent on living by their own rules? Probably not.
If anything I see Jennifer caught in the middle of the power struggle. She wants to fit in everywhere and has to prove herself both ways, somehwere she is going to lose. I think that she lost in the eyes of the RCA! Did she have to sacrifice something to Hoffman to win his approval? No, she just had to follow his rules. Did Hoffman demand a monthly gift from the orphans? Did they face death from him if they didn’t produce said gift? No, he was a pervert not a psychotic despot who ruled those weaker than he with torture. Wendy did all of these things while using others to keep the blood off ofher hands and the blame shifted away and Hoffman was starting to see through it. Probably that is why he had to disappear with Martha also being seen as a barrier to their society.
Wendy was making his job incredibly hard with her drawing all over the place, releasing the rabbit, failing to do her chores and inciting the others to do her bidding at every opportunity. Hoffman, for all of his issues, saw this as a direct challenge to his authority and probably confronted Wendy who threatened to expose his indiscretions with Clara. Hoffman decided to leave and was killed by Stray Dog who was controlled by Wendy. Clara and Martha also represented unwanted authority figures and were disposed of as well. After the showdown with Jennifer, Wendy felt that she had to save face by producing Stray Dog to prove that she was still in control and ended up killing nearly everyone.
A is for Amy who fell down the stairs
B is for Basil assulted by bears
C is for Clara who wasted away
D is for Desmond who fell from a sleigh
E is for Ernest who choked on a peach
F is for Fanny sucked dry by a leach
G is for George smothered under a rug
H is for Hector done in by a thug
I is for Ilna who drowned in a lake
J is for James who took lye by mistake
K is for Kate struck by an axe
L is for Leo who swallowed some tacks
M is for Maude swept out to sea
N is for Neville done in by ennui
O is for Olivia hit by an awl
P is for Paul trampled in a barroom brawl
Q is for Quentin who sank in a mire
R is for Rhoda engulfed in fire
S is for Susan who perished of fits
T is for Titus blown to bits
U is for Una who slipped down a drain
V is for Victor squashed flat by a train
W is for Winne embedded in ice
X is for Xeres devoured by mice
Y is for Yorick whose head was knocked in
Z is for Zillah who drank to much gin
Welcome, Gregorywrites!
Thanks!
But there appear to be quite a few minor errors in your recounting of the Edward Gorey’s Gashlycrumb Tinies.
For the correct text (and the pictures too) use this link:
http://web.purplefrog.com/~mjm/gashlycrumb/tinies.html
~
Lost Orphan: “Hoffman decided to leave and was killed by Stray Dog who was controlled by Wendy. Clara and Martha also represented unwanted authority figures and were disposed of as well.”
Wait… I thought Hoffman and Martha left, they weren’t killed by Gregory.
Welcome, darklycute00!
To read some blog-posts presenting evidence that Martha was attacked and killed in the orphanage:
The Mystery of Martha’s Letter
Martha: Bound, Bagged, and Bloody
A Human Skeleton: Is it Martha?
The Mysteries of Clara’s Cabin (Part 2): Martha’s Death
Thomas’s Skull Drawings
The idea that the imps are fantasy embellishments of the orphans wearing bags on their heads is important, because we see the imps attack and kill Martha in the “Unlucky Clover Field” chapter:
“Olivia Imp”
“The Imps Mystery, and Orphans-wearing-bags (Part 1)”
“The Imps Mystery, and Orphans-wearing-bags (Part 2)”
“The Imps Mystery, and Orphans-wearing-bags (Part 3)”
“The Imps Mystery, and Orphans-wearing-bags (Part 4)”
This Is How We Can Understand What The Imps Are Saying
The case for Hoffman being murdered at the orphanage is less clear than is the case for the murder of Martha, but take a look at these blog-posts:
Part 14. Reception Room: Stray Dog Gobbles Hoffman In Hoffman’s Portrait
Part 15, Reception Room: Dish Cupboard
Part 22: Headmaster’s Closet, Headmaster’s Room, and an Interesting Suitcase
Part 23a: Hallway, Floor Drawings
Part 23b: Hallway, Floor Drawings (unified theory)
Hoffman With Imps, Viewed Through the Sick Bay Keyhole
Oh right, I completely forgot about the whole dead Martha thing… I took a month off in the middle of the game because I couldn’t find a single person who could beat the Mermaid boss.
I know this is old and stuff, and it may has already been answered. But is it Wendy that Hoffman is referring to in his journals? The traits seem more Wendy than Jennifer, especially letting the rabbit out. As I recall, Wendy was fed up with the rabbit because it wasn’t making Jennifer jealous, correct? [sorry for drudging]
…I think someone used a thesaurus when they wrote that… poem… thing…
“Ennui” is boredom or depression…
Syringe_Love asks:
Hoffman’s entry about the rabbit is dated 12 April 1930.
Jennifer doesn’t write to Wendy about finding Brown until 22 July.
So there can be no connection between the rabbit incident that Hoffman wrote about and any concern about Brown by Wendy. The dates don’t fit.
~
Syringe_Love asks:
That is Lost Orphan’s theory.
I think that I still favor the idea that it is Jennifer. But I don’t rule out Lost Orphan’s very interesting theory.
Those drawings are an animation. If you hold down the right arrow on the d-pad once you’ve gotten to the first drawing, it shows an animation of Amanda turning into an angel–then–CRASH*BURN*SPLAT! The difficult to interpret scribbles would be the splatting phase of the animation.
I know, this is an old topic, but I thought I’d throw my own two sense in.
-Sir Peter was used as a sacrifice to Stray Dog at the end of this chapter. Who would want this? Diana because it is her role as leader to do what is best for her Aristocrats, or Wendy in a spiteful act?-
I think the sacrifice of Sir Peter has some important symbolism. Wendy wanted Sir Peter to make Jennifer jealous, and used Gregory as her Plan B, when Sir Peter didn’t work. I think that the cutscene shows the violent transition between Plans A and B- Wendy “sacrificing Sir Peter to Stray Dog” in a metaphoric sense. She’s moving on to a worse scenario.
I guess this was more of a symbolism point then a “mystery uncovering” point. Just trying to think like an author ;P