The Glutton is a monster found in Silent Hill 3. While it is a major obstacle in Heather Mason's escape from the Otherworld Hilltop Center, it doesn't pose a legitimate threat to her.
Appearance[]
The Glutton resembles a tall monster encased in decaying skin, trapped within (or part of) a cylindrical cage that surrounds its entire body. The bottom ring of the cage is adorned with an array of sharp spikes, akin to stalagmites, while the top is draped with what appears to be shrouds of the monster's skin, which may act as a form of tentacle. Features similar to feet can be seen between the spiked prongs, giving the impression that the Glutton is suspended within its cage. The spiked prongs are similar to those in the scenery of the battle with God.
The Glutton twitching.
The Glutton possesses two mouths that convulse and squirm from its chest and "head". Although initially believed to be eyes, these are confirmed to be mouths; the Tu Fui, Ego Eris fairy tale shows a picture of a knight's foot extending from the Glutton's mouth as he is devoured whole. Around the Glutton's upper head is what appears to be a metal ring. This ring could possibly be mirroring a halo, perhaps alluding to Claudia Wolf's perspective that the monsters are holy figures created by the Order's God. From the fairy tale, the Glutton is portrayed as a formidable foe; this would be expected, given the monster's somewhat aggressive nature and the radio's emission of static, but the Glutton appears to show no interest whatsoever in attacking Heather.
Character[]
Despite its seemingly passive nature, the Glutton's removal is mandatory to allow Heather to leave the office building it resides in. After exploring the building for some time, Heather finds all the pieces of a story called Tu Fui, Ego Eris, which when read aloud in its complete form, causes the creature to cry out. When Heather returns to its former resting site, it has disappeared.
Symbolism[]
The storybook containing the Glutton. Its figure is depicted on the right page.
According to Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle, the creature's form is manifested by the Otherworld.[1] The Glutton's name is attributed to the creature in the story Tu Fui, Ego Eris, which gobbled up knights and villagers who attempted to leave their village. While the creature makes no hostile actions, it nonetheless renders the exit inaccessible to Heather, much like how the creature in the story was an obstacle to the villagers, preventing them from leaving their home. It embodies the fear of helplessness before the circumstances.
The fairytale speaks of a priestess that is once killed, resurrected from compassion, and returns to defeat the monster. A possible reason for the Glutton's indifference towards Heather might be that the priestess in the story is an embodiment of Heather, reborn from Alessa Gillespie out of compassion as well, returning to face the monsters.
Trivia[]
- The creature was designed by Jun Inoue.[2]
- A "glutton" is one who overindulges in food. Gluttony is also one of the seven deadly sins, a concept among some Christian groups, and means to hoard or consume any material thing in excess.
- The Glutton may have been inspired by the nurikabe, a wall-like creature known for spontaneously and completely blocking travelers' paths.
Gallery[]
