Burning Cigarette

Post by **LeriSuccubus** » 20 Apr 2010

What's the significance other than Heather use to smoke? I know Douglas does, but is there another reason for it being there than just for the matches? I always thought it was creepy.

Post by **ashatteredmemory** » 20 Apr 2010

i don't think there's that much after it, its just a very good way to add a bit of background info to the character. it is quite scary though

valiturus · Post by **valiturus** » 23 Apr 2010

ashatteredmemory wrote:i don't think there's that much after it, its just a very good way to add a bit of background info to the character. it is quite scary though

It's interesting, yes, but scary?

Post by **Mephisto** » 23 Apr 2010

Guess we should ask pretty much everyone about why he/she started smoking.

Post by **alone in the town** » 23 Apr 2010

The cigarette is a metaphor for life's slow and inexorable end, the days burning away steadily and slowly, as a lit cigarette will do. It also represents corruption, the physical variety caused by smoking's ill effects, and the corrupt environment of the [otherside].

Post by **Mephisto** » 23 Apr 2010

I think it doesn't mean anything, kinda like that Freud quote. Forgot which one.

And I think people find hidden symbolism in things that doesn't have any, seriously.

Post by **alone in the town** » 23 Apr 2010

Definitely.

Post by **SPRINGS02** » 23 Apr 2010

Agreed.

Post by **Axel_98** » 23 Apr 2010

I agree with that, but after SH2 and all of its "symbolism" people try to find symbolism in every SH game.

Post by **NightlyOne** » 23 Apr 2010

Axel_98 wrote:I agree with that, but after SH2 and all of its "symbolism" people try to find symbolism in every SH game.

Well, the truth of the matter is that every SH game is chock-full of different kinds of symbolism. Even SH1 had its own elements of symbolism, but the symbolism aspect didn't really come into major play until SH2, especially given how "psychologically" based the game is.

But you are correct regarding the fact that people do end up overextending the symbolism to some degree.

Post by **SHF** » 23 Apr 2010

since she says she quit smoking when shes sees the cig burning, i thought it meant when she used to. kinda like a past memory. after all, itb appears in the otherworld hospital right?

Post by **simeonalo** » 23 Apr 2010

I always thought it was a subtle reference to Alessa's immolation ritual.

Post by **alone in the town** » 23 Apr 2010

I thought precisely the same about the flamethrower.

Post by **Number 7** » 23 Apr 2010

Mephisto wrote:I think it doesn't mean anything, kinda like that Freud quote. Forgot which one.

You mean, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar"?

Kind of appropriate.

Post by **The Wanderer** » 25 Apr 2010

helldescent wrote:since she says she quit smoking when shes sees the cig burning, i thought it meant when she used to. kinda like a past memory. after all, itb appears in the otherworld hospital right?

I think it appears in the Otherworld Hilltop Center.

I don't think it means much, other than to give us background on the character.

Post by **SHF** » 26 Apr 2010

exactly so. heather used to smoke. binga-banga

Post by **Holy One** » 27 Apr 2010

Mephisto wrote:I think it doesn't mean anything, kinda like that Freud quote. Forgot which one.

And I think people find hidden symbolism in things that doesn't have any, seriously.

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." I'm thinking along these lines myself. Although, who knows...if it was just a minor issue from her past, I wonder why the game would bring it up. The cigarette just waiting for her in the ashtray, looking as if it was lit the second before Heather walked in, was one of the most effective parts of that level for me.

If I really wanted to stretch things, perhaps the "Memory of Alessa" put it there as an omen of her later intentions. Or rather, it came from Heather's subconscious entirely...