Some observations about Mouthwashing
Ok so this game has got me so hyperfixated that Iām using Tumblr for the first time in like a year just to keep a tab with the Mouthwashing hashtag open so I can refresh it throughout the day and see what people are posting. That and my tab full of Danny AOD gifs. Anyway.
So I wanted to share some things Iāve noticed because I havenāt seen anyone else mention them and I want to seem smart and observant.
First off is the name Curly. Like itās kind of a weird name. Itās unclear whether this is his first or last name because the writing on his id card is so burned and so cursive. It is worth noting that Curly is an actual name, meaning āstrong manā or āgreat strengthā. What stands out to me though, is that Laika, the dog who was sent into space, was actually named Kudrayavka originally, which means āLittle Curlyā (and a little fun fact, Laika means ābarkerā). Thematically, both of these make sense. I donāt know which one was intentional, if either. Itās entirely possible Curly as a name is a reference, or just a name the devs liked.
Secondly, Anyaās design is based off of Shelley Duvall in The Shining, most recognizable to most people for the scene where sheās hiding in the bathroom while Johnny breaks down the door. That being her most iconic scene really reminds me of Anyaās deal with doors, being unable to lock the door to her quarters, and then locking herself in medical while the others try to get her out.
Thirdly, and the one I find most interesting, is one of the videos that plays on the tv after the storage room is opened. Itās about atoms, and states that atoms make up everything, like shoes, and ships, and sealing wax, and cabbages, and kings. I donāt know if this video was chosen by the devs specifically for this quote, but for the purposes of my rambling Iām going to assume it was. This quote is a direct reference to The Walrus and the Carpenter, a poem by Lewis Carroll.
The poem is hyperlinked above (hopefully, Idrk how to use Tumblr), but I just want to post the segment that the quote from the video comes from.
āThe time has come,' the Walrus said,
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā To talk of many things:
Of shoes ā and ships ā and sealing-wax ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Of cabbages ā and kings ā
And why the sea is boiling hot ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā And whether pigs have wings.'ā
To briefly summarize the whole poem, though I highly recommend reading it for yourself as well because itās really good, the Walrus and the Carpenter come across a group of oysters and ask them to join them for a walk. The oysters do, and the Walrus and the Carpenter walk with then a bit, before finally stopping, where the lines above happen. Right after this, the oysters ask to take a break, and the Walrus and the Carpenter agree to let them have the break - because they plan on eating the oysters. āAnd why the sea is boiling hot,ā I believe, refers to the oysters being boiled in order to prepare them for consumption.
The Walrus says he pities the oysters, and wipes his tears away, while actively partaking in the consumption of the oysters. The poem ends with a statement that all of the oysters have been devoured.
So! Letās focus on the Walrus here. Someone who leads innocents astray, boils/cooks them, and then eats them, all the while crying about how awful it is while doing nothing to abstain from eating them. Sound familiar? Sound like that guy we all hate? Little bit! I donāt know if it was an intentional bit of symbolism or not, but itās super big brained if it was.
Thatās all for now but Iām sure Iāll think of some more things later. I love this game. If u made it this far I really appreciate it, feel free to comment and let me know what you think
Also let me know how to tag a post as spoilers properly, I seriously do not use this site