Riley Heligo wrote:
Maurbeus wrote:
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What I meant by Maria is mostly that she's literally force feeding him herself, yes James sub conciously created Maria because of how Mary lacked certain things James wanted, but practically forcing him to pretty much forget she ever existed and just take her instead seems pretty self willed and rather selfish even if it's what James wanted from Mary, I mean I'd be more indifferent if she didn't try to kill James if he's accepted that Mary's dead and he can't replace her.
I think this is what it comes down to: Was it “Maria” who was pushing him into forgetting about Mary and moving on with Maria or was it James’ own feelings being reflected back at himself? (My argument will assume the image in the mirror is still “you”; I am being largely metaphorical here)
I believe that it was not “Maria”. If I’m remembering correctly, the times she’s most aggressive are also the times she shows knowledge that isn’t possible for her to know without her being a manifestation(in the labyrinth while she was in the jail cell for example). This suggests that it is not “Mary” who is doing this, but instead it is James’ subconscious being revealed through Silent Hill. Also, during these times she pushes him to other things as well; in the labyrinth she indicates he should find the videotape, which leads him to remembering (but not accepting) what he had done. In this case, I believe, it’s James’ own self being reflected back at himself
Other times, she shows a general seductiveness which, as you stated, is Silent Hill showing what James’ subconscious wanted.
The other things Maria does and the rare times she shows neither of these things, are what the real “Maria” is, assuming there actually is a real “Maria” and she is not a total manifestation. I believe there is a real “Maria” (someone who recently died or would die, someone who was remade by the Silent Hill; something, I don’t know….), but I couldn’t say for sure. The Born From a Wish add-on doesn’t really help, but it certainly further confirms that Maria is not solely her own entity.
In the “Maria” ending, it’s Mary (or the memory of Mary) that tries to kill James. This part, to me, is a sign of his refusal to accept his actions and a need to move on/away from Mary/the memory of Mary, which is reaffirmed by his previous showings of care and attention for Maria(through the players actions, which "chooses" the ending); with Maria being an avenue for him to just forget and move on.
So to me, Maria is not malicious on her own accord, it is James himself that causes this behavior.
Ven T-rexBrennenburg: More or less. From my understanding, Silent Hill creates manifestations born from peoples’ subconscious minds. Remember Laura is an innocent and she doesn’t seem to ever be bothered by the monsters. That said, the nature of the town is enigmatic. Also: Maria is Born from a Wish =D.