Editing Pantheon of Vice and Virtue

[[Category:Theory]]

= The Cast as Pantheon of Vice and Virtue =

The grand theme of the story is '''Corruption''' vs. '''Redemption''', developed through contrasts between characters and routes that embody the seven '''Capital Virtues''' and '''Deadly Sins'''. This theme is extant throughout the story, and assuming this thematic premise leads to some predictions about story beats we may see in the future. This is a riff on [[Purgatory Theory]]; it assumes the premise that Newfall = Purgatory, and postulates that core elements of the story can be understood (and perhaps foreseen) by analogy to the schema of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues '''Capital Virtues''' and '''Deadly Sins'''] from classical religious literature, e.g., Dante's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy Divine Comedy] and Prudentius' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychomachia Psychomachia]. Many aspects of the story expose this underlying theme subtly and sometimes explicitly, e.g., the poem minigame in [[Dethroning the Queen]], where the various sins and virtues are favored by particular girls.

In broad strokes, '''Corruption MC''' (Kate's Route) relapses into the '''Sloth''' of his unfortunate life and indulges the temptations of '''Lust''', '''Gluttony''', '''Wrath''', '''Pride''', '''Envy''', and '''Greed'''. '''Redemption MC''' (Isabelle's Route) strives mightily and with '''Diligence''' may find salvation through devotion to '''Chastity''', '''Temperance''', '''Patience''', '''Humility''', '''Kindness''', and '''Charity'''. '''Corruption MC''' may sate freely every apetite for depravity, but romance eludes him. '''Redemption MC''' through loyalty and virtue may find true love in the end.

So, how do the main characters and their arcs correspond to the polar couplets of '''Capital Virtues''' and '''Deadly Sins'''?

= Sloth (Corruption MC) / Diligence (Redemption MC) =

MC's fatal sin in life is '''Sloth''' which led to his apathy, decay, depravity, and death. In Purgatory, MC is given ''Another Chance'' to relive the formative years of his past life, and he is offered choices that lead either to plunging headlong into '''Corruption''', or to turning from his old ways, engaging with '''Diligence''' in a struggle to achieve '''Redemption'''. In the [[Introduction]], Flora's question about two paths in the woods foreshadows this overarching theme and how MC's choices will shape the story.

The avatars of '''Sloth''' ('''Corruption''') and '''Diligence''' ('''Redemption''') are [[Mrs. L]] (Lichtenstein / Lucifer?), and [[Mer]] (a.k.a. [[Ria]] / Mercuria), who compete by covert and overt means to shepherd MC toward their respective paths. From their overheard conversations we learn that Mrs. L and Mercuria have a wager on which path MC will choose, and each strives to influence him to their side, with Mrs. L employing wanton seduction, and Mercuria offering cryptic psalms and disclaiming direct intervention. Mercuria refuses to steer MC overtly because virtue is only truly virtuous when chosen freely by MC through his own will and devotion. Mrs. L on the other hand shamelessly peddles vice at any price and will do whatever it takes to close a sale.

= Main Girls =

Like Mrs. L and Mercuria, other main characters also present pairs embodying the virtues and sins. The embodiments of sin are most explicit in [[Excessive Accessory]], where we see that Mrs. L's brooch is a powerful talisman &mdash; a ''sin amplifier'' &mdash; causing the wearer to be consumed wholly by their signature vice. For example, when MC wears the brooch, he is taken by '''Sloth''' and sleeps for days.

Exemplifying the wide easy road, MC may have sexual encounters with sin-aligned girls (Mrs. L, Flora, Kate) earlier in the story, while the virtue-aligned girls (Lindsey, Maya, Amelia; and Kate, after she is broken) have longer routes, opening fully much later and demanding more prudent alignment and devoted effort from MC. Isabelle teeters between sin and virtue; she is volatile emotionally and eager sexually, and she falls easily for '''Redemption MC''' early on, but she also demands loyalty and '''Patience''' for full commitment.

== Lust (Mrs. L) / Chastity (Lindsey) ==

[[Mrs. L]] embodies '''Lust''' (notably she is the only girl that exclusively gains [[Lust]] and never gains [[Love]]). When Mrs. L wears the brooch, she becomes a vortex of raw sexual hunger. Through her relentless seduction Mrs. L tries throughout the story to tempt MC onto the path of '''Corruption''', and in Season 2 we learn that she is a culprit in Lindsey's fall. Mrs. L's seductive theater is as blatant as her words are duplicitous; the depravity of her motives will come fully to light as the story develops.

[[Lindsey]] embodies the opposing virtue of '''Chastity''' and presents as a paragon of innocence and romance whom MC strives to protect from Mrs. L's schemes if he pursues '''Redemption'''. With full devotion from MC, Lindsey's Love points outrun every other girl by the close of Season 1, even without consummation, and this marks her station as canon '''Main Girl''' for '''Redemption MC'''. (''Speculation: Lindsey's Route will span the entire game and require utmost dedication from Redemption MC to consummate, and she will be the last main girl to get a full H-scene, which will arrive with a sweet and romantic Good Ending. Also, Lindsey is the only main girl with a Hate Route for a reason; Corruption MC going all in on Ms. L's road to ruin may lead to a heartbreaking Bad Ending for Lindsey.'')

The escalating tension between protecting Lindsey and striving for '''Redemption''' vs. giving in to Mrs. L's temptations and succumbing to '''Corruption''' is a central thread of narrative conflict as the story plays out.

== Gluttony (Flora) / Temperance (Maya) ==

[[Flora]] embodies '''Gluttony''', as we see when she wears the brooch and spends days gorging on pizza and pastries until she lapses naked into a food coma. On Flora's Route, MC faces the temptation of giving in to Flora's reckless abandon and is challenged to redeem her by urging moderation and discretion. (''Speculation: As her story plays out, avoiding a Bad Ending for Flora may require Redemption MC to abstain entirely with her, instead steering her to a path where she can't be ruined by her insatiable desire.'')

Flora's best friend [[Maya]] embodies '''Temperance''' (or '''Abstinence''') &mdash; notoriously impervious to seduction and immune to the male gaze, despite the bawdy facade she throws up to conceal her vulnerability and loneliness (and possibly her virginity). (''Speculation: Maya's embodiment of Temperance / Abstinence means that her route, like Lindsey's, will be long and difficult, fully realized only by the most devoted Redemption MC, but with a sweet and suitably gratifying conclusion. As with Lindsey, Maya's Love Route will be exclusive to Redemption MC; and she may be immune to Corruption.'')

== Dueling Dualities ==

[[Isabelle]] and [[Kate]] each singularly exemplify a contrasting virtue and sin couplet by appearing in two forms depending on the route chosen, one intact and the other broken or vulnerable.

=== Wrath / Patience (Isabelle) ===

[[Isabelle]] embodies '''Wrath''', and on Isabelle's Route '''Redemption MC''' is challenged to temper her by counseling '''Patience''' and helping her hear the better angels of her calm and compassion. When Isabelle wears the brooch, she savagely thrashes Kate and almost breaks her arm before MC intervenes. If he chooses Kate's Route and Isabelle is left to her own devices by '''Corruption MC''', then she gives over entirely to rage and vengeance. (''Speculation: Isabelle's surrender to her dark side may lead to a Bad Ending for her if MC goes all in on Kate's Route and doesn't switch sides in Season 2.'')

=== Pride / Humility (Kate) ===

[[Kate]] embodies '''Pride''' and rampant vanity, to which MC may succumb and sate his '''Envy''' by becoming her willing slave. If he chooses Isabelle's Route instead, then Kate may be redeemed through '''Humility''', at first unwillingly through humiliation, and later (presumably) through her willing embrace of a kinder aspect that she tries so hard to hide before her fall. (''Speculation: Intact Kate is the only sin-aligned main girl who is not yet seen wearing the brooch; in a later episode Corruption MC may gift it to her as tribute, and then we will learn what happens when her cruelty is turned up to 11.'')

== Envy (Kate) / Kindness (Amelia) ==

Kate and the [[Nurse]] (a.k.a. Amelia) present as a contrasting couplet, with Kate as the prime object of MC's chronic '''Envy''' vs. Kate's pet the Nurse as a bottomless well of pure '''Kindness'''. If he takes Kate's Route, MC mimics his cruel mistress in objectifying the Nurse, deepening her '''Corruption''' through cold domination and blackmail. If he takes Isabelle's Route and treats her with respect and compassion, or if he frees the Nurse from Kate's servitude on Kate's route, then MC has the chance through diligent effort to grow closer to Amelia, realizing the depth of her gentle heart, and eventually finding '''Redemption''' for both in mutual caring and empathy.

= Greed / Charity =

Similarly to '''Sloth''' and '''Diligence''', this couplet embodies MC's overall approach to the journey. The embodiment of '''Greed''' is '''Harem MC''' out to catch 'em all. The embodiment of '''Charity''' is '''Redemption MC''' who ''Does The Right Thing'' with every girl even if it means passing up a chance to score.

'''Harem MC''' can get away with pursuing multiple girls at first, but is punished and forced to choose eventually, e.g., between Flora and Jacklyn, or Lindsey and Maxine. It is possible to romance both Flora and Isabelle well into Season 2, but their showdown is telegraphed in [[Jailbirds and Bees]], and with the level of commitment both girls can reach by Season 2, it's going to get ugly for '''Harem MC''' when the time comes to choose between them. Similarly, Kate's Season 2 quests [[A Single Moment]] and [[When It Rains]] stage the rivalry between Kate and Isabelle if MC pursues both, which can only end badly for all involved. (''Speculation: As the later story develops, the Bad Endings for Harem MC will be really, really bad; best case, bitter estrangement with Flora, devastating heartbreak with Isabelle, or losing both; worst case, rejection leading to someone committing self or other harm.'')

'''Charity MC''' who commits to one main girl and does his best for the rest without leading anyone on will have a ''Good Ending'' unspoiled by tragedy. For '''Harem MC''' the future is dim, and the best ending when going full '''Corruption''' may be lavishing in prestige as Kate's new favorite pet and having random flings with other girls, at the price of never having any lasting emotional connection with anyone.

= Maxine / Jacklyn =

These side girls do not embody sins or virtues, but instead exemplify alternate ethos for MC while navigating Purgatory. They stand in for Virgil / Beatrice from the ''Purgatorio'' as oracle and foil for MC. In [[Paint the Town]] Jacklyn and MC banter about this while texting, with MC referring to Jacklyn as Virgil leading him through Purgatory.

[[Maxine]] embodies ''Enlightenment'' and invites deep dives into the maze of illusions, in a quest to comprehend the truth of ''Where MC Is'', and ''What Is Really Going On'' in Newfall. Her cryptic commentary pulls back the curtain, daring MC to look deeper and question what he sees, or thinks he sees, at every turn, escalating eventually into all out assault on the ''Fourth Wall''.

[[Jacklyn]] embodies ''Hedonism'' and taking a hard pass on ''Big Questions'', living in the moment, taking what pleasures may come along the way, with no worries about whether the path leads to paradise, damnation, or oblivion. She impishly goads MC to follow his heart and embrace the sensual, and calls him out when he hesitates to seize the object of his true desire.

Both girls are readily available sexually but indifferent to MC emotionally, and neither are objectively virtuous or corrupt, just pleasing shades of ''Morally Grey''.

= Jo =

[[Jo]] is hard to figure since she feels like a placeholder for the strict but caring ''Lusty Landlady'', having little character development and no sway over MC's trajectory. She exudes the virtues of '''Diligence''', '''Patience''', and '''Charity''', having taken MC under her wing and put up with him for years while working tirelessly to support Flora and MC. She exhibits no serious vices aside from rumors of youthful promiscuity, occasional tantrums, and thirstiness that surfaces when she is shorn of inhibitions. (''Speculation: The path of Redemption will lead to a loving reconcilitation for MC and Jo, but no sex. Consummation with Jo will happen, if at all, late in the game and only if MC goes all in on Corruption, and may come with the price of a Bad Ending for her.'')