u/ryugantz

I find that a lot of people, especially when discussing the Weird Route, interpret the SOUL as representing Kris and their intrusive thoughts, with Kris abusing it serving as a metaphor for self-hatred (and on the opposite, reconciliation between us as as "self-love"). I don't think that interpretation is entirely wrong, but I do feel that treating the SOUL as just another part of Kris and think about it as metaphor for self-love completely erases the SOUL/Player's autonomy and identity.

Toby has been very deliberate in emphasizing that our own identity matters within the game. We are separate from Kris, yet inseparable from them. Even the "you" in the newsletter is written as **[Your Inputted Name]**, reinforcing that the player has their own distinct identity.

https://preview.redd.it/6bj6hensphgh1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=82431dd20a59d03ace686735c43d491578fd0e31

Part of why I'm so invested in Kris and the SOUL's relationship is that Kris and we, the player, are different people. Rather than one simply controlling the other, they have to communicate, reconcile their different needs, and gradually come to understand each other. That's what makes their dynamic so compelling to me. And, well, I think that's foreshadowed through the parallel between them and Lightner and Darkner Pink, who are also two different people sharing a single body.

Under this kind of read, it would probably open so much discussion and ramification of Kris treating another person like a garbage, abusing it and putting it inside the cage. IMO there's probably an element of self-hatred and its directed towards You instead of themself.

...this is probably not the right kind of sub for my rant but i do find it refreshing how this sub consists out a lot of people who care to portray the Soul as its own thing and very invested in our relationship with Kris (be it platonic or otherwise) lol.

Let me know what you guys think!